Status of the epidemic
Over a population of 7.5 million inhabitants, HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults aged between15 and 49 is estimated at 1.9%, which means that approximately 87 000 persons are HIV-positive. There exist very high geographical disparities within the country. Prevalence in 2004 varied between 0.3% and 3.3% depending on the departments. Prevalence is higher among specific groups such as sex workers (27.9%) and people with tuberculosis (16.7%). In Benin, HIV is transmitted mainly through sexual relations (92%) as well as from mother to child (6%) and, to a lesser extent only, through blood transfusion and traditional practices like tattoos, carification, circumcision and excision (2%).
The national strategy
Benin has developed a national strategic framework to fight HIV/AIDS/STI. This framework defines the policies, main orientations, objectives, strategies and priority actions to combat AIDS. All the players see that it is effectively implemented to reverse the upward trend of the infection.
The fight against HIV/AIDS is an integral part of the national poverty reduction strategic paper (PRSP) and of the framework of the initiatives for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). The Council of Ministers has adopted concrete measures to reinforce the fight against HIV/AIDS through the release of budgetary funds for the relevant ministerial departments and through the partial utilisation of foreign debt relief to set up an AIDS National Fund.
Most of the development partners have included the issue STI/HIV on their agenda, which fits into the national strategic framework to fight HIV/AIDS in Benin. The process to integrate the AIDS issue is pursued through institutional capacity building for implementation, through consultations and discussions with more structured groups, trade unions, employers’ associations…
The private sector
There is no official business coalition in Benin.
With regard to the anti-AIDS programmes on the workplace, the ILO/USDOL project is the main one. The ILO and the US Labour Department have concluded a partnership agreement to develop prevention and education programmes on AIDS on the workplace in 23 countries including Benin. The objective of the Benin project is to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the labour world and to reduce its deadly effects on the labour force and the companies as well as on the social and economic development. The strategy is based on two complementary actions, namely, by working with target sectors* and companies, to launch communication programmes for a change of behaviour (CCB) with regard to HIV/AIDS on the workplace and focus on policies and mechanisms to eliminate discrimination. Both actions are being followed concurrently, and lessons drawn from their implementation will enable adjustments to be made throughout the duration of the project.
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*Sectors
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No. of companies
|
Staff
|
|
Oil trade
|
03
|
1125
|
|
Mining and energy
|
04
|
3047
|
|
BTP
|
02
|
398
|
|
Informal sector
|
01
|
220
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
4770
|
The project was officially launched on July 1st 2004.
Dr. Idohou Moucharafou the project National Coordinator in Benin in February 2004.
Contact:
Philippe E. Johnson, Officer in charge of the Health Commission – Focal point HIV/AIDS
Benin Employers’ National Council
Tel: + 229 21 32 11 71
Fax: + 229 21 32 11 70
Mobile: + 229 90 90 81 86 / 229 95 05 15 24
Naïma Bio Djara – Koutouma, Officer in charge at the Unit dealing with the local response and the private sector
CNLS
Tel: + 229 90 01 80 46
SIDA-ENTREPRISES member companies in Benin are
ACCOR: Novotel Orisha Cotonou
Air Liquide
Ascoma
Bolloré
