Jaya S; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12; 10: 437 (abstract no. PD0356).
Media Foundation, Madras, India.
OBJECTIVE: To sustain a one-to-one exchange of information on sex, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, STIs and coping skills as an innovative movement towards HIV preventive behaviour change amongst rural and semi-urban men in Tamilnadu. METHOD: First level information on AIDS and related issues was disseminated through a popular news weekly. This weekly was chosen as 77% of its readers (1.3 millions) are males between the ages of 20-44 coming from lower and middle income groups, who have completed school, but are not graduates, residing in remote rural and semi-urban areas. The readers responded with over 1,200 letters requesting explicit information on safer sex, STIs etc., related to their personal sexual habits: group sex (1%) bestiality (3%), masturbation (5%), homosexuality (8%) and STIs (7%). These are being answered through personalised, confidential letters that empower the respondent with a range of coping skills specific to his concerns and milieu. Note: There are 10,200 post offices in rural Tamilnadu, each with their own post master. There are also 45,000 letter boxes in the same area. A daily audit between post offices from village, taluk, district and state level ensures correct and efficient postal functioning. 'The postal system is the main channel of communication that is used by villages and small towns in Tamilnadu as a link to the outside world'--Post Master General. RESULTS: 1. We are getting data on the sexual practices prevalent in semi-urban and rural Tamilnadu. 2. This postal information service is reaching vital information on coping skills related to AIDS and sexuality to a group not covered by either targeted AIDS intervention programs or the media. 3. Over 75% of the respondents request support services such as STI treatment, counselling etc. An informal referal system involving centres in rural Tamilnadu is therefore taking shape. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The postal network is an effective low cost channel to convey confidential information on HIV risk reduction and safer sex. Contrary to popular belief, group sex, bestiality, multiple partner sex and heterosexual anal sex are evidently in practice amongst semi-urban and rural men in Tamilnadu. In a country where homosexuality and commercial sex are illegal, the freedom to discuss these issues is limited. The postal network, for the time provides an opportunity for these groups to surface and freely express themselves. Hence, one to one networking is an effective beginning towards impacting high risk behaviour. As confidentiality is a primary concern, select NGOs/primary health centres/private practitioners are being identified and trained to provide respondents the opportunity to link up with support services near his own village/town.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Communication
- Confidentiality
- Counseling
- Data Collection
- Demography
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality
- Humans
- Information Services
- Male
- Rural Population
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- Social Support
- education
Other ID:
UI: 102209553
From Meeting Abstracts