The Asian Development Bank recently released a manual that aims to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in infrastructure project workplaces by providing project developers with information and hands-on tools, the Thai News Service reports. The manual, titled "More Safety: A Resource Manual for Health and Safety in Infrastructure," highlights four steps to increase HIV prevention messages and reduce HIV risk factors in workplaces.

According to the manual, the first step is to establish an HIV prevention management team composed of three to four part-time workers. The team will be responsible for fueling HIV prevention activities in the workplace and local communities. The second step requires the team to assess workers' knowledge of HIV and risky behavior among workers that puts them at increased risk of the virus. After assessing knowledge and risk, the team can then develop an HIV prevention plan, according to the manual.

The third step involves training managers to be HIV/AIDS advocates, provide HIV education to workers and the community, and provide condoms at work sites. The final step in the manual involves monitoring and evaluating workplace HIV prevention strategies.

The manual was developed with a grant from the Poverty Reduction Cooperation Fund and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, the Thai News Service reports (Thai News Service, 7/28).

The manual is available online.