NACP III: A public-private partnership is essential (3)

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

This refers to Mr. Rajeev's posting on NACP III.

You have indicated that the NGOs have failed. The reason is because the

programme was not adapted for India. It was assumed what was successful in USA

and Thailand would succeed in India. It did not. The unwritten slogan that

governed the relationships with NGOs were

Use condoms - stop AIDS

No condom - no AID.

While I accept that it is only communities that can effectively make decisions,

as professionals it is our duty to disseminate the correct information. We also

have to be sensitive to what the community will accept. Professionals must

understand that they

cannot go against the tide of community beliefs and practices

within a short time.

Without any hesitation NGOs have been and will continue to be effective in

working for and with the marginalised.

Now moving on to some data that you have requested I am providing some of the

key information.

1.Sexual Behaviour among urban Scool Children

Boys Girls

Delhi 55 17

Chennai 17 0

Kolkata 37 11

Mumbai 12 26

Source: Outlook October 11 2004

2. SExual intercourse among rural unemployed youth in Tamilnadu - 2.5 %

(2003)

Source:APAC, BSS Survey Wave III: 2003

3.Involvement in sex among male students in TN in 2003- 1.53%, and among girl

students-0.41%.

Source: APAC, BSS Survey Wave 8 2003.

4. Condom use among eligiple couples in TN based on 1998 Family Health Survey-

Less than 7% in Tamilndu and even less in other sttes.

It is these data from well documented studies that prompt some us to take a bold

stand in saying that the approach for India has to be different.

If after sinking crores of rupees in condome promotion if the overall condom use

in TN is less than 10%, is it effiecient use of resources? This is not to deny

the tremendously successful condom use through targeted interventions among high

risk groups.

Therefore without any hesitation I would say that abstinence, faithfulness and

condom use when promoted in a balanced manner will succeed in India.

It is quite likely that the high rates of Delhi might have made policy makers

think that Delhi is India.

I am happy that the planning process for NACO phase 3 has been thrown wide open

for e group discussion. I trust that others like me could bring in the available

data into the open and make rational decision for our country.

Yours sincerely,

Abel.

E-mail: <rajaratnamabel@...>