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NAN consists of three HIV service components:
- Prevention Services
- Direct Care Service
- Capacity Building Assistance
HIV PREVENTION SERVICES
HIV Prevention services focuses on preventing new HIV infections through health
education and risk reduction activities. Specific attention is directed at prevention
targeting HIV infected persons and linking clients to counseling, testing and
partner counseling.
Historically, American Indians have had an adverse impacts of communicable
diseases that were often twice, if not more, as high as other ethnic populations.
Today, disease continues to plague our communities with equal devastation. With
infections rates increasing, HIV is now considered to be a threat among the
American Indian, and has the potential to eradicate Native communities. On the
Navajo reservation, more and more Natives are testing positive for HIV. To combat
increasing rates of HIV among Navajo’s and other American Indians residing
in and around the Navajo Nation, NAN has strategically developed and implemented
prevention programs on and off the reservation to provide a diverse range of
culturally appropriate HIV prevention services for all Native people and their
families. To combat increasing rates and stigma of HIV, NAN has instituted these
interventions: HIV Testing and counseling, referrals, community level interventions,
group level interventions, and HIV awareness trainings. NAN prevention services
are funded by the Arizona Department of Health Services, the New Mexico Department
of Health, and other private foundations.
Since education about HIV and AIDS involves dialogue about sex, it is necessary
for NAN to disseminate information that is culturally relevant to a population
that perceives sex as sacred and a private matter. In most traditional familial
settings, Navajo people allow for this topic to be conducted by extended family
members, rather than the parents themselves. To demonstrate respect to this
tradition, NAN prevention staff members introduce themselves and their Navajo
clans and where they come from. Clans extend beyond self, mother and father,
but also include grandmothers and grandfathers. This respectful process allows
for the audience to establish an extended relation with NAN staff members, thus
decreasing any distrust or ambiguity that may have had prior to the introduction.
Community Level Interventions:
NAN conducts community level interventions at various sites throughout the Navajo
Nation, and surrounding border towns. NAN also works with other tribal entities
such as the nearby pueblos to distribute pertinent information about HIV and
Native Americans. NAN works closely with drug and alcohol related programs such
as the Na’Nizhoozhi Center, inc. and other health disparity programs,
such as domestic violence programs. NAN conducts community outreach in this
setting and provides HIV information, as well as other health specific information.
Gatherings range from health fairs, to pow wows, and dances.
Street Outreach:
Street outreach is conducted by health educators and volunteers. Information
about HIV and other health specific topics are distributed by trained outreach
personnel. Outreach is conducted in areas where high rates of risky activities
can occur. Bars, streets, dances and even markets and ceremonies can be a target
for street outreach. NAN operates the only street-based outreach program on
the Navajo Nation.
Group Level Interventions:
Safer sex workshops are a relaxed and informal discussion group consisting of
6 to 15 participants that share a common demograhic. These groups are unique
and crucial for participants, as they provide a safe space to discuss issues
they are confronted with. Issues discussed include but are not limited to:
Substance abuse, community building, event planning, relationship issues, commin
out issues, familial issues, dating strategies, and risk reduction. All workshops
are non-judgemental and allow for participants to be avid contributors to the
group.
MSM Prevention:
As a result of increasing rates of HIV infection among Navajo MSM(men who have
sex with men), NAN has developed programs for and by Native American gay and
bisexual men and male to female transgenders who reside on or near the Navajo
Reservation. The programs focus on interventions that increase empowerment and
self-esteem by addressing cultural , social, and traditional beliefs that are
also factors that play a role in high risk activities. Creativly planned retreats,
gatherings and skills building sessions act as deliverance for these interventions,
while trainings and presentations are developed for families and service providers
on how to work with this diverse population.
HRH Prevention:
At the beginging of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and in subsequent years the male population,
especially the MSM populationshowed the highest numbers of infection rates.
However in recent years we have seen rates rise among the female population.
Although there are still higher number of infection rates of males that females,
this gap continues to close each year. Women of color, including Native American
women, are especially affected by this trend.
The Hozho Benashadoo (HBP) is a response by the Navajo AIDS Network, Inc. to
the increasing trend of HIV infections among Navajo women. The HPB offers culturally
appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention and education services specific to Navajo women
by Navajo women. Prevention interventions are conducted by peer educators who
share their experiences with HIV and HIV risk behaviors.
DIRECT CARE SERVICES
HIV direct care services is a carefully diverse constructed case management
program designed to meet the cultural needs of American Indians living on or
near the Navajo Nation.
HIV testing and counseling services are available in an anonymous and confidential
setting. NAN utilizes the OraSure test kits. Testing has not been considered
to be a priority for many Navajo people, as HIV testing has a potential to inflict
shame and guilt on those wanting to get testing. Often Navajo people leave the
reservation to seek testing in larger urban settings for fear of their confidentiality.
Because communities are small in population, confidentiality has always been
an issue of concern for a people who seek testing and treatment services, of
not just HIV testing but also of other health issues. With OraSure, NAN staff
are able to conduct HIV testing in an environment that are physically, emotionally,
and spiritually safe for both. For more testing information and sites, please
contact our offices at 505-863-9929 in Gallup, or 928-674-5676 in Chinle.
CAPACITY BUILDING ASSISTANCE
Operating as a local performance site for the National Minority AIDS Education
and Training Center (NMAETC), the Navajo AIDS Network, Inc. has the capacity
to initiate trainings for HIV Primary Care professionals. NAN has implemented
the latest in technological learning through Web cast medicine. Primary care
providers can now network trainings, review latest treatments, and track client
case studies to streamline services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
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