Professional Courses

Professional Development Courses

SAPTA offers Professional Development Courses whose main objective is to enhance capacity amongst professionals working in clinical settings as well as to expand awareness amongst individuals and organizations on the prevention and treatment of risks associated with substance use disorders/HIV/AIDS/TB/mental illnesses.

(1) TRAINING FOR HIV/AIDS/ALCOHOL/DRUG RISK REDUCTION

A history of heavy alcohol use is associated with a lifetime tendency of: high risk sexual behaviors, including multiple sexual partners; unprotected intercourse; sex with high risk- partners (e.g., injection drug users, commercial sex workers). Alcohol use also influences metabolism of ARVs and thus their efficacy. In persons already infected, the combination of heavy drinking and HIV has been associated with: increased medical and psychiatric complications (e.g. depression); delays in seeking treatment; difficulties with ART medication compliance; and poorer ART treatment outcomes. This course is aimed at expanding awareness and competencies amongst clinicians working with patients and HIV/AIDS risk populations.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course the learners should be able to:

• Acquire knowledge of the relationship between alcohol/drugs use and HIV/AIDS
• Develop knowledge and skills on the use of screening tools for alcohol and other drugs (use of the AUDIT: Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, DAST: Drug and Substances Test)
• Outline risk reduction strategies for HIV/Aids and Substance use Disorders

Target group: ART clinicians, nurses, and adherence counselors.
Duration of training: This is a twenty eight (28) hr course administered over duration of four (4) consecutive days
Venue: choice of organization

(2) BRIEF INTERVENTIONS FOR OUT-REACH & HEALTH WORKERS

Brief interventions have become increasingly valuable in the management of individuals with alcohol-related problems. Health & outreach workers dealing with at risk populations would benefit from developing competencies in brief intervention counseling. Professionals have increasingly focused on brief intervention as a tool to fill the gap between primary prevention efforts and more intensive treatment for persons with serious alcohol use disorders.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this training the learners should be able to:

• Describe key concepts associated with substance use disorders
• Screen for hazardous and harmful alcohol drug use in relation to risky sexual behavior.
• Discuss principles of motivation interviewing
• Demonstrate competencies in brief motivational counseling and referral

Target group: HTC counselors, community outreach workers, HIV/AIDS peer educators, Post Test Clubs leaders and members, CBO, FBO, youth leaders and members
Duration of training : This is a twenty one (21) hr course administered over a duration of three (3) consecutive days
Venue: choice of organization

(3) TRAINER OF TRAINER (TOT) COURSE ON PREVENTION AWARENESS GROUPS (PAG)

For more than two years now, SAPTA has pioneered a Prevention Awareness Group program for at risk populations in Kibera. Prevention Awareness Groups (PAG) is a community based integrated Substance Abuse–HIV/Aids prevention psycho-educational program targeting vulnerable populations.

The goal is to provide participants with knowledge and skills to mitigate risks associated with substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and ART adherence.

The basic methodology involves the use of community based learning approaches such as focus group discussions, mini lectures, drama and video presentations to educate the
participants on the dangers of alcohol and drug use in relation to risky sexual behavior and consequent HIV/AIDS complications.

So far the PAG has proven successful in reducing HIV/Risky Sexual/Alcohol and Drug Abuse Reduction with greater ART Adherence. In Kibera over 400 at risk persons have attended this program including alcohol abusing PLWHAs, those on ART, female commercial sex workers, bar maids, bar patrons, and out of school youth.

Based on these successes SAPTA is offering a TOT with the main objective to develop competencies on running psycho-education prevention groups.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this training the learners should be able to:

• Explain the behavioral, medical, and psychological consequences of substance abuse.
• Describe the relationship between sexuality, HIV/Aids and Substance Use Disorders.
• Demonstrate skills in running psycho-educational groups amongst HIV/AIDS and SUDs high risk populations.
• Apply training skills applicable to adult learners

Target group: HTC counselors, community outreach workers, HIV/AIDS peer educators, Post Test Clubs leaders and members, CBO, FBO, youth leaders and members.
Duration of training: This is a thirty five (35) hr course administered over a duration of five (5) days
Venue: choice of organization.