AEGiS-14IAC: To reach rural population by integrating HIV/AIDS prevention programme with Self Help Group of rural women - an experiences from West Bengal.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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To reach rural population by integrating HIV/AIDS prevention programme with Self Help Group of rural women - an experiences from West Bengal.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11085)

Misra K, Saha K
Sudcra, Calcutta, India

ISSUE: HIV/AIDS has been increasing among the general population in West Bengal, but prevention programme targeting them are not enough. various studies indicate that knowledge level among rural were still very low. So, intervention among them is necessary ensuring participation of the local community.

DESCRIPTION: Sudcra has been working in 124 villages in two district of West Bengal, covering 2,51,000 population. Working mainly through women Self Help Group (SHG) targetting overall development, nearly 160 SHG have been operating comprising of membership of nearly1700 rural women. Sudcra is also involved in social marketing of contraceptive materials in collaboration with Eskag Pharmaceuticals, an agency recognised by Government Of India as social marketing agency. To promote family planning among villagers, Sudcra has created awareness among them through workshops at district level, then identified trainers cum motivators from them who consequently undergo Training Of Trainers (TOT). In future, they will act as trainers at village level and also as social outlets of contraceptive materials so that the target group may get the materials at the time of need. Sudcra already integrated STD/HIV/AIDS prevention programme along with the family planning programme. Awareness on STD/HIV/AIDS already conducted at district level. TOT will also be conducted in future on STD/HIV/AIDS so that they cannot only create awareness at the village level, but also provide information/counselling/condom at the time of need and also increase refferal of STD cases to nearest health care facilities. Lesson learnt/

DESCRIPTION: Ensuring participation of the local women to break the barrier of stigma attached to sexuality and HIV/AIDS to the target group. To increase the efficiency of the services, telephone hotline should be established at Block level to provide proper information at appropriate time.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Rural Population, HIV Seropositivity, Condoms, Counseling, Sex Behavior, Family Planning Services, Community Health Services, Condoms, Female, Sexuality, India, Human, Female, Education, therapy

020707
D11085

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.