Startling Facts on AIDS Awareness in Aurangabad!

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator,

Wockhardt-Harvard Medical International HIV/AIDS Education and Research

Foundation (WHARF), is a not for profit organization providing structured and

scientific education and training to medical professionals on the prevention and

care of HIV/AIDS in India. WHARF also conducts training and awareness programs

for paramedics, youth and the community.

WHARF conducted a study between March and April 2007 to identify the level of

awareness, attitudes and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS amongst doctors and the

people of Aurangabad. Aurangabad was selected as the city is considered a

high-risk zone in Maharashtra. The study was conducted among 10,000 persons in

both rural and urban areas. A population of 1000 allopathic doctors (700 urban,

300 rural) were surveyed as well. These surveys were conducted with the help of,

Jan Shikshan Sansthan, (a local organisation under the Human Resources

Development Ministry, Government of India).

The study revealed some startling facts. Whilst 85% of respondents amongst the

community had heard about HIV & AIDS, 22% were still unaware that the disease is

life threatening, a shocking 49% felt that the disease could be cured, and about

38% believed that HIV could not be transmitted through the sexual route;

misconceptions which can lead to High Risk Behavior and to unsafe sexual

practices. Approximately 25% were unaware of vertical transmission and almost

40% felt that HIV could spread through mosquitoes. Sadly, a large 55% felt that

sharing food with positive people could cause transmission whilst 19% had no

idea on the subject

Data on doctors revealed that only about 22% would see HIV+ patients and around

26% felt that they should charge PLHA extra. About 38 % felt that PLHA should be

segregated and 44% felt they could contract HIV/AIDS from their patients whilst

treating them. Just about 15% knew that monotherapy is not an accepted form of

ART, 71% opined that Post-Exposure Prophylaxis could be administered after 72

hours of viral exposure and nearly 60% believed that abortion was that the only

option for HIV+ pregnant women.

Nearly 42% of doctors had updated themselves on the disease through

self-learning, 65% admitted that they had not received any formal training in

the field and 76% wanted additional information and training in this sphere

Based on these results, WHARF has begun working in the area of awareness and

sensitisation by collaborating with young people in colleges, through its Youth

Wing which will now be based out of Aurangabad also. For training doctors,

WHARF will run its first program through a two-day certification convention in

Aurangabad on 17th and 18th November 2007. WHARF and HMl faculty will conduct

the program. WHARF will also be holding programs towards community sensitisation

in Aurangabad on 17th and 18th of November for industrial workers and their

families as well as for the workers of Primary Health Care Centres.

Dr Deepak Batura,

Honorary Faculty,

WHARF

e-mail: <d_batura@...>