HIV Prevention among street children in India : Lessons learned.
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. WeOrD1273)
Mohammed MU S.V.University, Dept. of Population Studies, Tirupati - Andhra Pradesh, India
India has the largest number of street children in the age group of 8-18 years. They are exposed to all kinds of risky social environment. They are prone to drinking alcohol, smoking, begging, pick-pocketing and many other similar vices. A vast majority of the street children indulge in sex at a very young age (after crossing 14 years of age). The Government of India felt that there was a potent danger of the spreading of HIV/AIDS among the street children and from them to the general public. Indian Government has initiated a few pilot projects through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to prevent STD/HIV on an experimental basis among the street children. One such project is in operation in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, where there are about 16,000 street children. This project was started in 2000-2001. Peoples Action for Social Services, an NGO has initiated a Street Children Project not only to ameliorate the street children but also work towards the prevention of STD/HIV among them. A pre-survey was conducted before the commencement of the project to know their activities, motivation to engage themselves in different occupations. Based on the pre-survey results, a broad-based programme was planned to bring about changes in their daily activities, general behaviour, sexual behaviour and to prevent STD/HIV among them. The services included general services and non-institutional services. The general services included non-formal education, vocational training, placements and sending them back home in some cases. The non-institutional services included counselling in general, sex education, condom promotion, medical referal services and treatment in case of STDs. A recent mid-term evaluation conducted by the PASS has shown a great reduction in STD prevalence among the street children. The experiences of this project can be replicated in all other countries of the world where street children are abundantly found.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Homeless Youth, HIV Infections, Sex Behavior, Prevalence, Condoms, Sex Education, Organizations, Counseling, India, Child, prevention & control
