Ignorance, fear, embarrassment... these are just some of the issues relating to Lucknow youth when it comes to talking about all that birds and bees make no bones about doing, writes Manisha Sharma on the occasion of World AIDS Day on December 1. Are the parents and teachers listening?
AIDS spreads through mosquito bites, bee sting and by dirty people.
It spreads due to women of ill repute.
It spreads due to eating of Khatai and inflammation of the throat.
Those people who go to Mumbai and Delhi get this disease.
It is a sexual disease.
These are just some of the responses given by groups of adolescents and youths in Lucknow during a field research study conducted by Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Health Association (UPVHA) in support with ActionAid International. The study states that despite the spending of crores by governments and social organisations in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS, the young are dismally unaware about the facts.
The average youngster on the Lucknow roads harbours several myths an prejudices and does not even know the difference between HIV and AIDS. One of the young respondents in the UPVHA survey said HIV was a disease that occurs after having sexual relationship with women. He said he was drawn to the AIDS campaign poster only because the girl featured on it ‘appeared cute’ and had not read the entire message on the poster.
Stigma towards HIV is so strong that even educated professionals feel a victim should be isolated from society.
{{/usCountry}}Stigma towards HIV is so strong that even educated professionals feel a victim should be isolated from society.
{{/usCountry}}Current efforts to fight AIDS, including international commitments to achieve universal access to treatment, care and support by 2010, will fail if the pervasive stigma faced by people living with HIV is not tackled more aggressively, says activist Bobby Ramakant of Health Development Network.
This renowned activist from Lucknow says the first problem is that most youngsters are not aware about methods for protection against HIV and, those who are aware, face problems procuring various products.
For instance, for guys buying a male condom an getting examined tested for HIV or for girls wanting to consult a gynaecologist is tough.
There’s a stigma attached to the whole thing.
Researchers suggest youngsters require programmes that not only include HIV-related awareness sessions but also incentives and skills for educational planning that will expand not just their vocational options but outlook as well.
Jashodhara Dasgupta of Sahayog says youths should be the main target group for HIV-prevention awareness programmes as they are the most sexually active group. Interventions for making them aware of HIV should be taken right from the time they turn 13! Schools can take up the task through introductory chapters on the topic as part of the curriculum, she added. Quoting a UNFPA report, she says, of the 2.5 million new HIV infections increasing every year globally, those in the 15-24 age groups account half of it. A UNICEF-National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) study among the unmarried adolescents underlines that half of them reported for not using condoms in their last sexual relationship.
A renowned gynaecologist in Lucknow, Dr Geeta Khanna, who also goes regularly to various girls’ colleges in Lucknow to counsel students on health issues, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, opines that the awareness level on health issues in young girls is actually dismal. They want information but don’t have access to it. There should be more open discussions in schools and colleges with both girls and boys being involved.
It becomes highly important for women to know about HIV prevention strategies as there are very few or no options available for them. Men can use condoms but there is no such mechanism for women to practice safe sex. Female condoms are available but firstly, they are costly and secondly, they are not available over the counter like the condom for men.
A ray of hope for women who cannot negotiate safe sex with their male partner are microbicides. These refer to a range of different products that share one common characteristic-the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) when applied topically.
A microbicide could be produced in many forms, including gels, creams, suppositories, films, or as a sponge or ring that releases the active ingredient over time.
Scientists in India and abroad are currently testing many substances to see whether they help protect against HIV and or other STDs, but no safe and effective microbicide is currently available to the public. However, scientists are seriously pursuing 60 product leads, including at least 11 that have proven safe and effective in animals and are now being tested in people. If one of these leads proves successful and investment is sufficient, a microbicide could be available in three to seven years.