AEGiS-14IAC: Innovative strategic approach breaking all conventional barriers for reaching out to most marginalised &vulnerable group viz. Eunuchs (Transgender) for control of STD/HIV/AIDS in Mumbai, India.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Innovative strategic approach breaking all conventional barriers for reaching out to most marginalised &vulnerable group viz. Eunuchs (Transgender) for control of STD/HIV/AIDS in Mumbai, India.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrE1207)

Bamne AR, Kunte SJ, Gogate AS, Khetarpal MN
Mumbai districts AIDS control society, Mumbai, India

ISSUE: Socially deprived & vulnerable group i.e. Eunuchs with their changing lifestyle for earning are indulging into the anal & oral sex, are at highest risk for STD/HIV infection. But there are no health & other program for them by community group or government. Hence, there was urgent need to recognize & act for provision of sexual health services to prevent spread of STD/HIV infection.

DESCRIPTION: Eunuchs are socially not accepted & non-organized. This community has complex dynamics of power & hierarchical system. There are no government support policies for medical treatment, education, employment. Innovative Strategy- Joint initiative through self-motivated eunuchs & local health authorities i.e. Mumbai Districts AIDS Control Society. Process evolved - 1.Need assessment & eunuch mapping; 2.Accessing eunuch community with motivation; 3.Convergence meetings with eunuchs & stakeholders; 4.Active support to form NGO with legal status; 5. Successful establishment of eunuch NGO i.e.DAI Welfare Trust (18 Aug.99); 6.Technical & financial support for Intervention program with STD & VCTC services,capacity building,creating enabling environment,etc.

RESULTS: In a year, > than 899 eunuchs contacted, 358 examined & 62 treated for STDs, 143500 pieces of condoms were utilised. Created health-seeking behavior for adopting safer sex practices. LESSONS LEARNT: 1.Innovative strategic approach & extra efforts can break social, cultural & bureaucratic barriers; 2. Encouragement & strong persuasion is a must for involvement of stakeholders; 3.Intensive efforts can only reduce self-hatred within eunuchs & attitudinal change in population.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Additional efforts & innovative approach through initiative of local health authorities & community group can formulate NGO. An intervention program through this joint effort is successful & replicable strategy to mitigate spread of HIV infection & is adoptable in similar settings.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Sex Behavior, HIV Seropositivity, Condoms, Safe Sex, Health Services Needs and Demand, India, organization & administrationKWDaegis,hiv,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,sexbehavior,hivseropositivity,condoms,safesex,healthservicesneedsanddemand,india,organization&administration

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TuOrE1207

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.