Merchant S, Shah S; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. TuPpD1193.

S. Merchant, PSI/INDIA, 149/151 Cursondas Natha Trust Building, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, Prarthana Samaj, Bombay 400004, India, Tel.: +91 22 387 08 83, Fax: +91 22 387 14 15, E-mail: shilpa_merchant@hotmail.com

Issue: The study is an exploratory attempt in understanding the cost effectiveness of the largest truck terminal intervention of Bombay, which represents a high-risk population for HIV transmission. Project: The PSI managed Truckers Project at Cotton green in Bombay seeks to reduce the rate of HIV transmission amongst the truck drivers at one of the largest truck terminal, with the distinction of countrys commercial and transportation hub as well as the port city. Nearly 5000 trucks commutes in a day between cotton green truck terminal and other cities. PSIs intervention includes treating and preventing STI and HIV transmission and promotion of increased and consistence use of condom. The four-prong strategy involves increasing awareness through interpersonal communication, infotainment and mass media, to improve STI diagnosis and treatment through mobile clinics, social marketing of condoms through CVM and community based distribution, and by providing voluntary counseling and testing services. Results: More than 38772 truckers visited the center and benefited from information and services. A total of 3515 patients visited, free of cost, the tri weekly mobile clinic, nearly 351 were diagnosed and treated for STIs. Since early 1999, 472 patients have benefited from VTC facilities, 40 of which were diagnosed HIV positive, increasing the sero positivity rate to 8.50%. Pre and Post test counseling has been provided to more than 816 truck drivers. Lessons Learnt: Peer Education cannot be implemented because target population is very mobile, training workshops must stress condom use demonstration, project activities are most effective at the terminal sites information on AIDS, flip charts must be customized to built the needs and related to their lives. Cultural sensitivity must be considered keeping in the mind the conservative Indian society.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Biomedical Research
• Condoms
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• education
• methods
• therapy

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0002016

UI: 102239509

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