14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. F11792)

Teraiya D, Pandya UA, Patel AA, Mehta ND
Project Support Unit, Gujarat State AIDS Control Society, Ahmedabad, India

ISSUES: HIV does not discriminate people and hence it infect anyone and everyone today. Apart from the prevention work undertaken in Gujarat for 100% at risk populations, the sexual health needs of"bridge population" are also to be addressed. Gujarat has identified special categories such as diamond cutters, sea ferrying population, industrial workers, prison inmates etc. These hidden potential population is instrumental to spread infection in general population and needs to be addressed. Descriptions: In Gujarat, Project Support Unit, a State level Management unit, has developed targeted interventions among such categories. PSU, with Gujarat State AIDS Control Society has established partnership with local partners to develop about 50 targeted interventions among mentioned high risk groups. Moreover, slums interventions covers occupational groups such as construction workers, daily wagers, rag pickers and other self employed vulnerable for contracting HIV infections. Wide coverage in all districts has resulted in building enabling environment to undertake projects where RLA are invisible and multi partner relations are unacceptable. LESSONS LEARNT: 1. If the different clientele group access the STD services, then HIV prevalence can be controlled. 2. Working with clientele groups may lead to many unwanted difficulties. But innovative strategies have helped to overcome difficulties. 3. For specific group we need specific strategies. 4. Due to wider coverage, changes at policy level become easy. 5. The bridge population is more powerful than the core groups.

RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. In addition to bridge population, region specific vulnerable groups should be addressed, as they are powerful link between the high-risk group and the general population. 2. Area and community specific models should be encouraged to improve the impact of the program.

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F11792

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