Strategies to reduce the vulnerability of women to HIV infection

[Guest guest]

Dear AIDS INDIA FORUM Members,

The latest epidemiological trends in India show that more and more

women are becoming HIV positive in India in the recent years.  As per

the sentinel surveillance findings of 2005, 38.4% of the infected

persons were women.

The male to female ratio of HIV prevalence among STD clinic attendees shows a

shift from 55/100 males in 2001 to 60/100 males in 2005. The ICTC data of 2005

also indicate that more than 40% of the people tested positive are women. All

these data indicate increasing feminization of the epidemic in India.

NACP-III PIP aims at increasing access to women and girls (15-49

years) to accurate and comprehensive information about HIV prevention.

Effective approach to HIV prevention includes risk reduction coupled

with strategic approaches that address contextual factors that foster

vulnerability.  While there is sufficient documentation on the

effectiveness of risk reduction strategies in preventing HIV

transmission (provision of information and education, service delivery

including HIV testing, needle and syringe exchange, condoms and

lubricants, safe blood and blood products) in India, there is a gap in

information as to how effective the strategies to reduce the

vulnerabilities to people involved in high risk behaviour.

With increasing HIV infection among women, it is important to review the

interventions that use a variety of strategies to reduce the

vulnerability of women to HIV. With support from UNIFEM, ICRW in

partnership with Population Council is undertaking a desk review of

the state of the current interventions strategies on reducing the

vulnerabilities of women to HIV infection. In this connection, we

would like to know from the members about:

1. Details of the programmes that adequately address the vulnerability

of the women to HIV infection.

2. The category of women that these programmes address.

3. The vulnerability reduction approach (not risk reduction approach)

adopted in these interventions and;

4. The outcomes of these interventions.

We would appreciate if you can share your experience including

research studies, evaluation reports, project descriptions or any

other useful resources related to reduction of vulnerability to be

included in the review study.

You may send the materials, links etc to

<sherryjoseph@...>

Thanking you in anticipation,

Yours sincerely,

Sherry ph

Independent Consultant

Mobile: 09818277842

e-mail: <sherryjoseph@...>