
Bikila says the way he found out about condoms highlights the need for HIV prevention programmes in the construction sector, where men often spend weeks away from their families. Evenings are spent in local bars where waitresses and bar owners sometimes double up as sex workers.In addition, unlike other construction sectors in East Africa, women form an important part of the construction labour force.When you have a big group of employees, there is also a good chance of dating among them; I have seen girls getting pregnant and [losing] work subsequently, Bethlehem Endalkachew, civil engineer in charge of the Sendafa site where Bikila works Most of labourers are not aware of pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease prevention methods.
