OFID-Nicaragua

There are approximately 5,000 to 9,000 HIV cases in Nicaragua, 95% of which are among those 15 to 39 years old. The manufacturing sector employing mostly this age group is from rural areas, with limited education up to high-school level. The OFID-ILO programme formed a tripartite committee to conduct a baseline assessment on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of these workers, the employers, and sectoral ministers. The findings from the baseline formed the evidence-base in the dialogue and development of a national HIV workplace policy for the manufacturing industry. An action plan has also been developed to operationalize this policy.