Home Contact Us
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Coverage
   
 
   

Targeted Intervention on HIV/AIDS among Industrial Workers of GIDC, Nandesari Industrial Area

Deepak Foundation initiated the intervention program on HIV/AIDS in 1997 due to heavy influx of migrant workers in the Nandesari industrial area. This intervention program was carried out with the community based approach. In the year 2005-06, the intervention approach shifted to the workplace setting, covering a specific target group of industrial workers.
   
In this regard, a project was undertaken, which was funded by Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) and “Partners in Sexual Health” (PSH). It was envisioned to provide targeted intervention on HIV/AIDS among industrial workers of GIDC, Nandesari industrial area of Vadodara, which has about 187 industries including Indian Petrochemical Corporation Limited (IPCL), Deepak Nitrite Limited (DNL) and Gujarat Industrial Power Corporation Limited (GIPCL) and an industrial population of 16,078. A high proportion of industrial workers, migrant laborers and passing truck drivers make the area prone to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Quantitative and qualitative assessments have revealed that 70% of the workers are aware of HIV/AIDS and less than half are conscious about STI’s. Besides, these workers have several misconceptions about the spread of HIV/ AIDS and condom usage.
 
Generating Awareness. click for big image

The primary goal of the PSH project was therefore to identify and develop appropriate and effective intervention strategies for people in the industrial areas who are at risk of contracting and spreading HIV and STIs.

Specific Objectives

To increase awareness about HIV/AIDS among industrial workers
To increase condom use among industrial workers having High Risk Behaviour (HRB)
To increase the awareness about STD/STIs among industrial workers
To improve treatment seeking behavior for sexual health problems
To have an HIV/AIDS policy in all the industrial units of GIDC Nandesari

Major Components of the Project

Behavior Change Communication (BCC)
Identification of workers with high risk behaviors (HRB)
Interpersonal communication
Mass communication through development of IEC/BCC material

STD/STI Care and Management
Identification of workers with symptoms of STD/STI
Strengthening treatment services


Condom Promotion
Improve condom accessibility and availability
Improve condom use pattern

Enabling Environment
Advocacy and sensitization of external stakeholders
Community Mobilization
Drop-in centers
Establishing linkages with local NGOs


An important aspect of DF team’s intervention is to promote the behavior change of individuals who are susceptible to high risk behavior. At Deepak Medical Foundation, Nandesari, 24 hrs medical help, with a panel of 8 trained doctors and lab facility is available for workers with STD/STIs. A separate counseling center has been established which provides counseling for men and women who indulge in high-risk behavior. People with HRB are encouraged to seek treatment for STD/STI and to get tested for HIV. DF also addresses the anxieties of men in matters concerning non-contact sex i.e. semen loss, masturbation and nocturnal emission.

Barber shops, ‘paan’ shops, STD booths and condom depot act as the sites for conducting informal counseling by Peer Educators. As part of the organization’s efforts to check the prevalence of high-risk practices leading to HIV/ AIDS, many Community Based Organizations have also been activated and supported to effect a change in behavior.

Several condom promotion campaigns are implemented. A large condom distribution network has been strengthened over a period of time and today it comprises our Outreach Workers, Village Level Health Workers and Anganwadi Workers.

Following Information-Education and Communication (IEC) strategies are used :

  • Utilizing work place setting
  • Addressing issues linked with homosexuality and multi-partner sex
  • Approaching industry leaders to take a greater interest in the project and formulate policies to tackle the problem
  • Strengthening capacity building activities of the peer educators
  • Persuading all stakeholders, viz. union leaders, contractors, canteen owners, liquor dens, STD booths, paan and tea galas to participate in the IEC activities
Home || About Us || Sectors of Intervention || Facts & Figures || Publications & Reports || Press Releases || Awards || Careers