AEGiS-15IAC: Red Ribbon Clubs an innovative Networking Process to mobilize Community and Involve grossroot Level against the spread of HIV/AIDS and safgurd the PLWHAs.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Red Ribbon Clubs an innovative Networking Process to mobilize Community and Involve grossroot Level against the spread of HIV/AIDS and safgurd the PLWHAs.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10136)

Arulmony T
MMHRC Hospital, Madurai, India

ISSUES: The New strain HIV/AIDS put general community, the risk group and the PLWHAs in utter confusion. The policy makers at micro level and macro level also lack in getting correct information about the diseases and the status of infected. In this context MHHRC launched a new movement by name Red Ribbon Club and facilitated grossroot community. Proper orientation and training imparted at micro level and macro district level with the participation of above said stakeholders. The STD /HIV/AIDS InfoTech Centre provide correct information subsequently by sending e-mails, news letters and facilitated regular discussion among the members.

DESCRIPTION: This paper will deal about the prevailing condition in the community. The myths and misconception developed due to different inputs of services providers and the corrective measures taken. Positive attitude developed among the concerned towards PLWHAs. The grassroots level people acquired skill to counter the spread of virus and co-coordinating locally with appropriate strategies. The process manifested towards minimization of stigma among the community on PLWHAs and involved different section of community against the spread of HIV/AIDS. This process was recognized at Asian level and awarded by Asia Hospital Management Association 2003, Philippines. Lesson Learned: Proper orientation about HIV/AIDS with the involvement of local community to the community members and media persons will bring changes among the community and develop positive attitude among them about the risk groups and PLWHAs. Further people based strategies will emerge against the spread of virus and provide care for PLWHAs.

RECOMMENDATIONS: This research recommend these kind of social movement can be a right model to mobilize the community on critical health issues and orients them on HIV /AIDS and PLWHAS and to remove myths and misconception by providing with relevant information by supportive services.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, HIV Seropositivity, Residence Characteristics, Demography, Virus Diseases, Infection, HIV-1, Research, Philippines, Asia, organization & administration, diagnosis, education

040711
D10136