Municipality of Labrea

The municipality of Labrea is located 610 km southwest of the city of Manaus (1,672 km by river) and has a estimated general population of 30,000 people (IBGE 2006). The municipal STI/HIV/AIDS programme is based in the municipal secretary of health’s principal office on the outskirts of the city on the road to the airport. The municipal secretary of social affairs is collaborating with the municipal STI/HIV/AIDS programme by providing two social workers and one psychologist who are carrying out preventative work with vulnerable families and youth.

The STI/HIV/AIDS programme called Health and Prevention in the Schools is being implemented in the municipality of Labrea. This programme brings together parents, students, and the municipal health and education sectors to work on STI/HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Meetings and workshops have been facilitated with teachers, parents, and students. A recent writing competition on sexual and reproductive health and drug abuse included the participation of 1,007 students.

The municipal programme is providing pre and post-counselling services to clients and STI/HIIV testing services, about STI/HIV/AIDS, a risk assessment, and counselling on safer sexual practices. The tests include the rapid HIV testing kits and syphilis testing at the regional hospital and will soon be extended to a Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre in Labrea.

The municipal epidemiological surveillance team collects data on the cases of STI and AIDS and input the data into the national epidemiological surveillance system called SINAN. The municipal STI/HIV/AIDS programme is overseen by the municipal secretary of health, Raimondo Moura, and is coordinated by a municipal STI/HIV/AIDS coordinator, Mateus Soares.

Bio-chemist Cidcley Mendes conducting an HIV rapid test in the regional hospital in Labrea. (Photo by Sue Sargent IS Brazil).