Krishnamurthy P, Saraswathi ; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 353 (abstract no. Th.C.4645).
APAC Project, Madras, India. Fax: 91-44-8251495.
Issue: Sexual behavlour and lifestyle of fisherman community are unique and stand for higher risk of STD/HIV. Project: A group of villages located in the costal area closer to Madras is inhabited with fisherman community. Fishing operations keep away the men for many days in the sea with associated risk of fishing operations. Economically weaker, with inadequate health care facilities drive the women to seek additional income outside the village. "WOMEN LINK LEADERS" are a group of young women motivated to initiate health action. Providing general health care services including mother and child health services and educating them on special issues related to sexual behaviour and the resulting infections of reproductive tract motivated them to take the leadership. STD services provided subsquently paved the way for increased condom usage. Result: Social women possessed the crediblity and were accepted by all. "WOMEN LINK LEADERS" are able to provide counselling services and proper utilisation of external resources to benefit the community. Reduced transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and increased condom use was noticeble. Lessons Learned: Involving women leaders in providing medical care for STD and condom promotion integrated with MCH and reproductive health is well accepted by the people and empowers women in negotiating with their male counterparts.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Child
- Counseling
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health
- Health Planning
- Health Services
- Humans
- India
- Infection
- Male
- Oceans and Seas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Teaching
- methods
Other ID:
UI: 102220872
From Meeting Abstracts