Bhatia V, Swami HM, Bhatia SP, Thakar JS, Ahuja R; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. ThPeC5384.

V. Bhatia, House No 1278 Sector 15b, 160015 Chandigarh, India, Tel.: +911 727 721 64, E-mail: bhatia@satyam.net.in

Background: During the early phase of the national AIDS control programme in India from 1992 onwards, was mainly confined to urban settings. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) are known predisposing factor to HIV infection. Govt of India launched a nationwide programme called as Family Health Awareness Campaign with the objectives to scale up the level of awareness of reproductive tract infections (RTI's), STD's and AIDS in rural and vulnerable areas, identifying high risk groups and treating the RTI's & STD's through the existing health staff of primary health care Methods: City of Chandigarh is located in northern part of India, having the population of about 0.9 million with nearly 10% living in villages and 30% in slums 17 camps covering 26 villages and slums were organised in April, 1999. In December 1999, again 16 such camps covered 30 places. Over 200 health workers and a large number of volunteers from non-governmental organisations were involved each time. Besides, house to house registration, free services in form of health education, counseling, health checkups, provision of drugs and blood testing were provided through the camps on fixed days to beneficiaries in the age-group of 15-49 years The study was conducted during the camp hours and in the community, one week after the camp. Results: Post-camp community survey of the sample population in the intervention areas revealed that 63.8% and 66.5% of the subjects were aware of AIDS in April and December, however, more males (70.6% & 80.9%) were aware than the females (57.6% & 57.4%). As far as, mode of spread of AIDS is concerned, it was observed that multiple sex partners (62.3% & 64.6%), infected blood (22.6% & 20.1%), contaminated needles (32.8% & 18.9%) was known to some in April and December. The study in Dec. reported that AIDS can be prevented by using condoms (31.7%), having single partner (46.3%), safe blood (20.6%), sterile needles (20.1%) and keeping good hygiene (7.3%) however, 46.3% were not aware of any method 78.5% of the subjects responded that no treatment is available for the AIDS. Television (96.7%) and health workers (47.6%) followed by radio (14.0%) and newspapers (11.0%) were the main sources of awareness. It was observed that participation of the community was better (22.6%) in December in comparison to April campaign (16.6%) One of the reasons was better IEC activities and more household visits by health workers in Dec. (49.4%) than April (23%). During the exit interview done to the subjects attending the camps, the awareness about STD/RTI symptoms was also evaluated. All the patients attending the camps were treated for RTI,s & STD's. Conclusion: A large section of population is still unaware of AIDS and its mode of spread and prevention. The momentum should be built up for the better participation of the community The success of the programme can be expanded at the level of primary health centres on continuos basis in future.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Awareness
• Condoms
• Counseling
• Family
• Federal Government
• Female
• HIV Infections
• Health
• Health Education
• Health Planning
• Health Promotion
• Humans
• India
• Infection
• Male
• Organizations
• Population
• Poverty Areas
• Rural Population
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Thinking
• United States
• education
• organization & administration

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0004430

UI: 102241927

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