Public Dissemination of the study on HIV risk behavior of MSM

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

In April 2003, The Humsafar Trust completed four years of providing health

services and its programme interventions amongst MSM and Transgender in Mumbai.

In July 2004, Humsafar Trust undertook a research project to study the

effectiveness of its programme. A research team was set up with Ms. Alpana

Dange, a social research consultant, heading the project. A detailed

questionnaire was filled by the MSM in Mumbai city and facilitated by a

14-member team. The data was analyzed by IMRB and Ms. Dange wrote the final

report. A team of international experts has reviewed the report.

The project, titled ‘A study on HIV risk behavior of MSM: Review of four years

of program interventions by Humsafar Trust’, will now be disseminated to

researchers; scholars; academicians; members of the medical fraternity including

STI specialists and psychiatrists; students of Social Sciences and Medicine;

NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS; the media and the LGBT community.

The day long dissemination will be held on Friday, May 14, 2004, from 9.30 a.m.

to 4.00 p.m.

We would like participation of the LGBT community as this is an effort to reach

out to the community and make them aware about threats faced by us. We also wish

to bring to light the LGBT issues to some prominent members of the general

population. Interested participants can call the Humsafar Trust office and

collect the invitations on or before 13th May 2004.

We feel proud that the The Aanchal Trust, a support group for lesbian, bisexual

and transgender women, has agreed to be part of the qualitative dissemination

and will present a paper in the second half of the day on the ‘Psycho-social

Issues of the LGBT community.’ This session would be followed by a panel

discussion with Dr. Brinelle D’souza of TISS, Dr. Reeta Sonawat of SNDT

University and Ms. Geeta Kumana, Chairperson of The Aanchal Trust.

All invitees are required to register at the SNDT auditorium at 9.30 a.m. on May

14, 2004. The registration is free and we will provide tea and lunch, as well as

light snacks for participants in the evening.

We look forward to your participation. The agenda for the day is attached below

for interested participants.

For invitations please contact:

Vivek/Girish/Ernest,

The Humsafar Trust, 2nd floor, Old BMC Building, Vakola Market, Santa Cruz

(East), Mumbai – 400 055.

Phone: 26187476, 26650547, (Vivek Anand) 9821152980.

E-mail: humsafar@...

Vivek Anand

_________________

THE HUMSAFAR TRUST DISSEMINATION PROGRAMME

Agenda for the Day : Friday, May 14, 2004

09.30 AM

Registrations and Tea

10.00 AM

Lamp Lighting – Dr. R. Kamath - Dean – SNDT University

10.10 AM

Welcome Dance by HST Staff

10. 20 AM

Welcome Address : Ashok Row Kavi , Chairman , HST

10. 30 AM

Key note address: Dr. Alka Gogate , Project Director , MDACS

10. 50 AM :

A Peep Into the Closet ( Intro to HST ) Presenter : Vivek Anand

11.00 AM

PART I : QUANTITATIVE STUDY

A study on HIV risk behavior of MSM: Review of four years of program

interventions by Humsafar Trust

CHAIR : Ms.Kathleen Kay ( Country Head – FHI )

PRESENTER : Ms. Alpana Dange

PANEL : Dr. Rajat Adhikari / Ashok Row Kavi

12. 30 PM

Questions from the audiences

1. 00 PM

Break for Lunch

1.45 PM

PART II : CLINICAL STUDIES

Prevalence of STI’s and HIV in Male Sex Workers in Mumbai.

CHAIR : Dr. Hema Jerajani, HOD – Skin and Dermat LTMG Hospital

Presenter : Dr. Santosh Shinde

Panel : Dr. Prashant Palwade / Dr. Ratnakar Kamat

STI / HIV prevalence amongst MSM population in Mumbai.

CHAIR : Dr. Hema Jerajani, HOD – Skin and Dermat LTMG Hospital

Presenter : Dr. Prashant Palwade

Panel : Dr. Santosh Shinde / Dr. Ratnakar Kamat

QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

2.15 PM : ISSUES OF MSM-PLWHA

Safe Sailors Club: A report to the community from MSM-PLWHA

Presenter : Shashikant Shetye / Anil Deshmukh

Panel : Ms. Seema Shroff / Dr. Maninder Setia

Questions from the audiences

2.45 PM : PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES

Profiles of case histories

CHAIR : DR.Nilesh Shah, HOD – Psychiatry Dept LTMG Hospital

Presenters :

1. MSM / Tr. Issues : Priti Prabhughate

2. Lesbian Issues : Nidhi Joshi of Aanchal Trust

3. CSW Issues : Hemangi Mhaprolkar

4. Summary and Counseling Issues : Vrushali Deshmukh

PANEL : Geeta Kumana / Brinelle D’souza / Reeta Sonawat.

Questions from the audiences

3.45 PM

Vote of Thanks : Ashok Row Kavi

4.00 PM

Wrap Up and Tea

Programme Facilitator: Vivek Anand