(Targeted Intervention Project for HIV/AIDS for Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Street Children, Men Having Sex with Men (MSM) and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in District Dehradun of Uttarakhand)
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
India is second only to South Africa in terms of the overall number of people living with HIV/AIDS. United Nations population division projects that India’s adult HIV prevalence shall peak at 1.9% in 2019. UN estimates that there were 2.7 million AIDS deaths in India between 1980 and 2000. During 2000-15 it projects 12.3 million AIDS deaths and 49.5 million deaths during 2015-2050. A 2002 report from CIA’s National Intelligence Council predicts 20 to 25 million AIDS cases in India by 2010, more than any other country in the world. The number of HIV cases in India is difficult to determine and the subject of ongoing controversy as current estimates are based solely on sentinel surveillance conducted by public sites. Country has no national information system to collect HIV testing information from the private sector, which provides 80% of healthcare in India.
According to UNAIDS the overall number of people with HIV infection India has an estimated very heavy count of HIV/AIDS infections, nearly 6 million, second largest in the word after Sub-Saharan Africa. The disease threatens to outgrow to unmanageable proportions if not checked in time. From urban to rural and back to cities it is spreading very fast and sooner we shall be the first country, or perhaps have already become so, to be having the largest population affected by this endemic. Situation is alarming as women population in reproductive age group is generally above one third of total population of any state. In case of this hilly state Uttarakhand, problem is compounded by the fact that its 80% population in reproductive age groups is rural settlers, mostly ignorant about the causes of the disease and the ways to protect them.
HIFEED since its very inception in 1995 had been concerned with health status and wellness situation of mountain communities specifically women and children. This concerned took HIFEED to work with the communities in preventing HIV/AIDS and STDs/STIs and spreading the awareness for various family planning programmes, even without any financial support of project. HIFEED’s effort and experience of working with community resulted into its getting the Targeted Intervention Project for HIV/AIDS implemented in Dehradun by HIFEED during the year 2004-2005, successfully intervened 250 FSWs and 150 Street Children was well appreciated and discussed in wider circles. The programme delivered successfully completed interventions and achieved set goals in creating effective awareness to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in Dehradun. The project continues for the next year, 2005-2006, with increasing the target among high risk groups HIV/AIDS prevention and healthy behaviours by intervening through BCC, among 400 FSWs, 300 Street Children for the year 2005-2006 in Dehradun city. Due to the good and satisfactory progress of the project, the Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society has extended the project. The programme is being continued for the year 2006-2007, with a target of 400 FSWs and 300 Street Children. The project was also extended for the year 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 with the target of 550 FSWs, 60 IDUs and 60 MSM. During the year 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, the target allotted to HIFEED is 300 MSM.
This project helped us in experiencing the ground realities of HIV/AIDS problems in its cause and effect matrix. This lead us to find that the targeted groups i.e. FSWs, Street Children, IDUs and MSM was in the project area as mainly as one who came from outside the State of Uttarakhand. And potential of such future heavy down pouring influx remains very high because the new State of Uttarakhand is proving as PULL for people particularly labours and daily wage earners from outside the state due to its vast economic potential and growing high spending tourism Industry.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
- To minimize the further spread of HIV/AIDS/STD/STI infections and maximize the awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and healthy behaviors by intervening through BCC, among Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Street Children, Men Having Sex with Men (MSM) and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in District Dehradun.
- To provide innovative and effective BCC to FSWs, Street Children, IDUs and MSM to enhance their health seeking behaviours over a period of twelve months.
- To increase the levels of awareness, knowledge and risk perception on HIV and STI amongst FSWs, Street Children, IDUs and MSM.
- To promote consistent and correct use of condom including condom negotiating skills to FSWs, IDUs and MSM.
- To provide care and support services to stake holders.
- To create an enabling environment that ensures easy access to services and assists in community development.
- To create meaningful options for FSWs, IDUs and MSM that can ensure sustainability of the programme.
- To provide condoms and safe needles to FSWs, IDUs and MSM.
COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT
To achieve above mentioned objectives, HIFEED provided its expertise to community through well trained outreach workers, pear educators and professionals. HIFEED’s project implementers work in the following steps and process during the project implementation. This in turn also helps workers in acquiring specific HR skills in the field of Targeted Intervention Project for HIV/AIDS. Services Provided by HIFEED are:
- Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Support Services
- Condom Promotion
- Enabling Environment
- Community Mobilization
TARGET AREA AND TARGET GROUPS OF THE PROJECT
The target area of the project is limited to Dehradun District of Uttarakhand. Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Street Children, Men having Sex with Men (MSM) and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) are the target groups of the project.
FUNDING AGENCY
The Project is funded by the Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society (USACS), Department of Medical, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand, Dehradun.
COST OF THE PROJECT
The project was sanctioned by the Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society (USACS) in the year 2004. Cost of the project from year 2004-2005 to 2010-2011 is as under:
| Financial Year | Total Cost of the Project
(Rs.) |
USACS Contribution
(Rs.) |
HIFEED Contribution
(Rs.) |
| 2004-2005 | 4,45,692.00 | 4,05,175.00 | 40,517.00 |
| 2005-2006 | 7,58,450.00 | 6,89,500.00 | 68,950.00 |
| 2006-2007 | 7,58,450.00 | 6,89,500.00 | 68,950.00 |
| 2007-2008 | 10,83,473.00 | 9,84,975.00 | 98,498.00 |
| 2008-2009 | 11,56,220.00 | 10,57,722.00 | 98,498.00 |
| 2009-2010 | 6,36,326.00 | 6,36,326.00 | – |
| 2010-2011 | 3,75,140.00 | 3,75,140.00 | – |
| Total | 52,13,751.00 | 48,38,338.00 | 3,75,413.00 |