An Intervention Study To Enhance Aids Awareness Among Underprivileged Population In Chandigarh

摘要

It is estimated that world wide, 33.2 million people were suffering, 2.1 million died and 2.5 million got newly infected from HIV/AIDS in the year 2007. Nearly 2.5 million people are suffering in India at present. Family health awareness campaign (FHAC) has been implemented under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) to scale up HIV/AIDS awareness in the vulnerable groups. Community based study was conducted in April 2001 to find out the impact of FHAC and IEC activities in 12 villages and slums in Chandigarh. Nearly 1-1.5 lac people are living in these areas. Information was collected from 323 subjects in pre-intervention phase and from 320 subjects in post-intervention phase in the age group of 15-49 years. The awareness about AIDS increased from 58.2% to 70%. The major sources of information were mass media and friends. Knowledge regarding mode of spread also increased and the majority were aware about multiple sex partners and use of unhygienic/ used syringes and needles, after the campaign. Knowledge regarding prevention of AIDS by using condom increased from 42% to 61.2%, having single partner from 59% to 72.3%, using safe blood from 14.9% to 29% and sterile needles/syringes from 18.1% to 33.9%. Over 90% of respondents consider AIDS as a dangerous disease. Community based intervention such as FHAC and IEC activities were successful in enhancing the awareness among underprivileged groups. Still a large section of the population remains unaware, thus regular efforts must be made to achieve universal awareness. Introduction AIDS is considered a dreaded disease as no effective vaccine or drug therapy for complete cure is available so far. Recent estimates keep 33.2 million people suffering from HIV/AIDS, with 2.5 million people newly infected with HIV and 2.1 million deaths in the year of 20071 globally. Since the detection of first case in 1986 in Tamil Nadu, 68809 confirmed cases of AIDS were reported till March 31, 20042.Mass Media Campaigns and interpersonal communication through non-government organizations (NGO's) were undertaken to raise level of awareness in general population but it raised awareness only in the urban areas. Therefore, Govt. of India launched intensive programme to create awareness about AIDS and provide services for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) through family awareness campaigns3. The present study was conducted in the community to find out the increase in the level of awareness about AIDS occuring as result of intervention of organising camps, awareness campaigns and IEC activities in rural and slum population of Chandigarh. Material And Methods Union territory of Chandigarh is a modern city having a population of 0.9 million in an area of 114 sq. km. The city has not only attracted a large number of youth for educational purposes but also a large population of migrants from states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have settled and thus 27 slums have developed in UT. Rural area comprises of 26 villages which are in close proximity of urban sectors which are modern and planned. Thus, UT Chandigarh has nearly 50-55% population in urban sectors, 10% in rural and 35-40% in slums and resettled colonies.Govt. of India initiated family health awareness campaign in April-May, 1999 under the National AIDS Control Programme with one of the objectives of scaling up awareness on HIV/AIDS in rural areas and in other vulnerable groups of population and identifying the high risk groups for targeted intervention programme. UT Chandigarh has been implementing this campaign right from the beginning.The present study was conducted in the month of April 2001 when a similar campaign was implemented by State AIDS Control Society in collaboration with various NGO's. Pre-camp activities were carried out in 12 villages and urban slums where ICDS workers (Anganwadi Workers = AWW's) made house to house visits over 4 days and distributed information cards besides educating and inform