Building immunity against HIV at social level

[Guest guest]

Building immunity against HIV at social level

Supriya Bhardwaj/TNN

Chandigarh: The most conducive environment for HIV is where there is

plenty of ignorance. The blind recklessness caused by a lack of

awareness results in many people getting infected by the virus

unnecessarily.

Yuva Sankalp Foundation, an NGO, had started an effort to spread

awareness about HIV-AIDS in slum areas and colonies through involving

petrol station employees, mechanics, shopkeepers, tobacconists and

roadside vendors some months ago. The State AIDS Control Society, UT

and Punjab, was also involved in the effort. Following the success of

that idea, the NGO now intends to implement it in a bigger manner.

Various people involved in the drive have been distributing

condoms and information, education and communication (IEC) related

material like brochures, pamphlets and leaflets. The method of

campaign is simple. " There are main depots in the respective area,

which have individual representatives. They educate their colleagues

and distribute condoms and related material among them, " said YSF

secretary Gaurav Gaur.

The NGO has five condom depots at present.

" The idea was to create a grassroot level movement about the

disease and to make the community responsible. We now plan to double

the number of existing community-based depots in the Tricity, " said Gaur.

Those associated with the project are leaving no stone unturned to

alert the downtrodden about HIV-AIDS.

Deepak Latawa, 28, who runs a general store at Mullanpur barrier,

said, " We have kept condoms on the counter and when a customer comes

and asks for it, we give it for free. My peer group discusses these

problems and we try to distribute the material in our circle. " The

move is now drawing applause from other activists working in this

field. " It is an innovative thing. The `peer-educator technique', as

it is known, doesn't need investment of large amounts of time and

money while the message reaches the people effectively, " said AIDS

activist Avnish Jolly.

Temple test centre

AN HIV test centre that started in a city-based temple saw a turnover

of Rs 10,000 last month. Anti-AIDS activist Avnish Jolly said, " The

faithbuilding organizations, which are part of the temple, played an

important role. "

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[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/9500

In addition to ignorance- a culture of false values, blame, shame and

stigma has hampered the response to HIV. A postive attitude and

tolerance towards PLHIV is also integral to increasing penetration of

the social immunity.

People living with HIV can better educate others to avoid rsk

behaviour. Moreover, support systems are needed to mitigate the impact

of the epidemic.

Dr RK Sood

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Dr RK Sood

+91 9418064077, +91 9445157327

e-mail: <drrksood@...>