Assistance: This project
is being implemented with financial assistance of USAID-APAC-VHS
since 1998
Objective: The objective
of the project is to extend promotive, preventive and curative
services with the intention of effecting behavioural changes
among Women in Prostitution. The change of behaviour among
women will make them participate effectively in the prevention
of STD/HIV/AIDS.
Focus on: Women in
Prostitution, their partners and those associated with them
like auto drivers, lodge boys, etc..
Target Area : The targeted
area for intervention is Nagercoil, Kanyakumari and Thuckalay
blocks of Kanyakumari District.
Activities:
1. Promotion of Peer Education:
From among the existing peer educators, a
few efficient and dynamic peer educators were selected as
senior peer educators. They play a dynamic role in motivating
and monitoring the peer educators in their mission of educating
their colleagues. To structurally co-ordinate the process
and make the activities more effective, the target area was
divided into six clusters and the sex workers were also co-ordinated
and federated accordingly. Each cluster has 15 peer educators
and two super peer educators.
2. STD care:
The sex workers were motivated by the peer
educators and the counsellors to periodically undergo medical
check up and treat any disease at an early stage. They were
followed-up regularly and counselled and motivated for behavior
change in terms of ensuring the use of condom during every
sexual intercourse and they were enabling to develop condom
negotiation skills.
3. Condom promotion:
Condom promotion was a major strategy adopted
to prevent STI/HIV/AIDS among the women in prostitution. Some
of the activities carried out to this effect are condom demonstration,
promotion of condom negotiation skills, free distribution
of condoms, social marketing of condoms, establishment of
non traditional condom outlets etc..
4. Counselling:
Community based counseling centers were promoted
at places accessible to the WIP. The focus of the counselling
was to motivate the WIP and their clients for behaviour change
in terms of correct and consistent use of condom and treatment
seeking for STI.
Over the years, the intervention among the
WIP has proved that if motivated and guided, the WIP will
definitely adopt behaviours conducive to prevent the spread
of STD/HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless the need for intervention continues
as new WIP and new clients enter into the field. With the
active guidance of CSR for some more time, the Senior Peer
Educators and the Peer Educators will be in a position to
continue the work initiated by CSR.
Prevention and Control of STD/HIV/AIDS
among CSWs:
Assistance: This project
is supported by the financial assistance of the Tamil Nadu
State AIDS Control Society
Objective: The overall
objective of the project is to effect the behavioural changes
among CSW. This is effected through identification of peer
educators. The behavioural changes are effected by means of
counseling and group sessions.
Target area: Marthandam
and its surrounding areas in Kanyakumari District
The major components of the intervention are:
Management of STI clinics.
Counselling
Promotion of Peer Educators
Condom promotion and
Distribution of IEC materials
The STD clinic and counselling centres are
functioning at Marthandam and Mulagumoodu. The CSWs identified
were referred to the clinic for early and complete treatment.
Medicines were given free of cost.
As days pass by, the peer educators assume
more and more responsibilities and exhibit greater involvement
and interest in working for the prevention and control of
STI/HIV/AIDS among the CSWs.
Community
Based HIV/AIDS Care and Support:
Assistance: HIV/AIDS
care and Support project started in 2001 with the financial
and technical assistance of PWDS-alliance.
Objective: To provide
care and support services to persons living with HIV/AIDS
(PLHA) and children affected by AIDS (CAA). It also aims at
creating linkages with institutions and philanthropists to
support hem and their family members
Target area :
12 panchayaths around Marthandam area in Kanyakumari District
Activities:
The major activities of the project are:
Identification of PLHA and CAA
Counseling and emotional support
Food and nutrition support
Referral for treatment
Supply of educational materials
Capacity building
Integration of PLHA in SHGs and
Linkages with other support groups and resource systems
In the planning and implementation process
of the programme, the community based organizations such as
women Self Help Groups (SHGs), youth clubs, fan associations,
religious organisation and village committees took active
part. With their dynamic participation, it was easier to facilitate
the change process.
A cadre of community-based volunteers were
trained and motivated to extend the basic and practical help
needed for the PLHA. By providing the nursing care, bed care
and nutrition support, they contributed a lot for home based
care. Due to this intervention, there was a tangible improvement
in the health status of many PLHA.
As the result of the efforts taken by CSR
in establishing linkages and mobilizing support from other
systems, many good things including government support took
place for the PLHA.
