Patna- Barbers trained on HIV AIDS Awareness

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Patna- Barbers trained on HIV AIDS Awareness

PATNA: About 50 barbers of the city were informed about the HIV/AIDS, its mode

of transmission and prevention, at a training session organised by

Francoise-Xavier Bagnoud, India Suraksha Branch, Bihar.

" Transmission of HIV/AIDS through an infected razor or blade can occur, but it

can be decreased manifold if the razor is disinfected after every use, said the

Regional Aids Treatment and Networking in India (RATNEI) medical director Dr

Diwakar Tejaswi while speaking to the barbers.

He asked the barbers to disinfect the razor or blade by soaking them in sodium

hypochlorite solution for about 30 minutes. This solution is very cheap and is

easily available at all the medical stores, he added.

During the discussion, it was found that all types of people including drug

addicts visited their shop and were motivated to talk to their customers about

HIV/AIDS.

" There are about 700 barber shops in the city from whom we have picked up a

handful from each locality for training, who in turn, will spread the message in

their locality, said FXB, Bihar, state coordinator Pankaj Kumar Sinha.

FXB, a Switzerland based NGO, has its branches in 18 countries, and mainly works

for AIDS orphans. " Their workplace is like a communication hub. Therefore, we

are targeting them for our campaign. Apart from spreading awareness, the barbers

will also counsel the people to get themselves tested for HIV/AIDS and

distribute books on HIV and condoms, " said Sinha.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Barbers_trained_on_AIDS_awarenes\

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Diwakar Tejaswi <diwakartejaswi@...>