AEGiS-15IAC: STD/HIV intervention in an Indian naval ship

AEGiS-15IAC: STD/HIV intervention in an Indian naval ship - an experience.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

STD/HIV intervention in an Indian naval ship - an experience.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10057)

Mukhopadhyay S
SORD(Social Organization for Research & Development), Calcutta, India

ISSUES: Frequent movements, family separation, low threat perception make naval personnel most vulnerable to HIV infection among Armed Forces of India. Recent report states over 3500 personnel of Indian Defence Forces contracted HIV over last decade & highest prevalence in Navy may be due to factors related to lifestyle and awareness. BACKGROUND: This is an abstract written on experiences of the author during his services in Indian Navy as Medical Officer. This particular STD/HIV intervention was organized by author in a ship of Indian Navy among 350 naval personnel on board between Nov'92 to Aug'95. Situation before intervention in 1992: Lack of awareness on STD/HIV issues (awareness level below 15%), myths and misconceptions on sexual behaviour and habits, suppression of sexual urge by enforcing strict naval laws, eight sailors of the ship had already contracted STIs and under surveillance and detection of one asymptomatic HIV positive person in the command. Strategies of

INTERVENTION: Following need based strategies were adopted by me & my medical team, 1) Repeated lectures health related and moral to modify sexual behaviour. 2) Condom promotion and easy access to condoms by 'pick up & use' method replacing the existing 'ask for & use' method. 3) Quiz, dramas, role plays on AIDS during sailing time during entertainment programs. 4) Personal counseling and interviews. 5) Encouraging masturbation habit among serving sailors. Outcome in 1995: Only two fresh cases of STI in the ship between 1992 to 1995 without HIV transmission. Awareness level increased upto 80% in 1995 from 15% of 1992 among serving sailors.

CONCLUSION: A need based planned intervention can be successful to minimize possibility of HIV transmission in closed and sailing unit like a ship - this particular incidence was a burning evidence of the fact which I presented here from my professional experiences as a physician & public health specialist.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Condoms, Sexual Behavior, Counseling, Prevalence, Health Services Needs and Demand, Ethnic Groups, Incidence, Public Health, Military Personnel, India, organization & administration

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C10057