| NCSA-VMM Home & Community Based HIV/AIDS Care and Support Program |
As per NACO Estimation, 500,000 and above cases of HIV/AIDS have been identified in Andhra Pradesh state. The mode of transmission in Andhra Pradesh are Sexual Transmission (87.64%), Parent to Child Transmission(3.47%),Blood and Blood Product (1.06%), Infected Syringes (0.98%) and Others (6.84%). HIV/AIDS cases in the age group of 15 - 29 years is more than 50% of the total number of cases
Visakhapatnam situated in the “C Group” in Andhra Pradesh. It is bellow 2% of the prevalence rate here. Only 50% percent pregnant women are positives through the reference of the APSACS. Lack of knowledge on HIV/AIDS, how it is manifested, how the disease is contracted, how it could be avoided or prevented, how it could be diagnosed, what to do if diagnosed positive, etc. The life style and the socio-economic conditions and the circumstances victimize the people of this community here. Men staying for a long period away from home and camping at other places on work schedule for livelihood; fundamentally create circumstances for both men and women to involve in extramarital affairs. Men at the camping place and women at the market place involve in extra marital affairs. In most of the cases, women being the weaker sex are exploited by men. |
| Community Driven Approach |
The family as a unit is our target where women constitute a very important role especially in the fishermen community of Visakhapatnam. Similar to the community of honeybees it is the women folk that seem to strive to protect the family while the men folk behave like the drones. We aim at providing quality of life to the family with 75% HCBCS and 25% SRH. Women’s attributes and contributions to society have been duly recognized and we wish to utilize this great potential of women in our fight against the HIV/AIDS problem to the society. The sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV/AIDS is fundamental to their well-being and that of their partners and children. This addresses the specific sexual and reproductive health needs of women living with HIV/AIDS and contains recommendations for counseling, antiretroviral therapy, care and other interventions. Improving women’s sexual and reproductive health, treating HIV infections and preventing new ones are important factors in reducing poverty and promoting the social and economic development of communities and countries. Sexual and reproductive health services are uniquely positioned to address each of these factors.
Gender plays an important role in determining a woman’s vulnerability to HIV infection and violence and her ability to access treatment, care and support and to cope when infected or affected. The current scope of HIV interventions and policies needs to be expanded to make gender equity a central component in the fight against HIV. All women have the same rights concerning their reproduction and sexuality, but women living with HIV/AIDS require additional care and counseling during their reproductive life. HIV infection accelerated the natural history of some reproductive illnesses, increases the severity of others and adversely affects the ability to become pregnant. Moreover, infection with HIV affects the sexual health and well-being of women. HIV testing and counseling is the entry point to HIV-related care and support, including antiretroviral therapy. Knowledge of HIV status is essential for tailoring reproductive health care and counseling according to the HIV status of women and to assist women in making decisions on such issues as the number, spacing and timing of pregnancies, use of contraceptive methods and infant-feeding practices.
Further, information and counseling are critical components of all sexual and reproductive health services and support women in making these decisions and carrying them out safely and voluntarily. Complex factors affect whether women’s expression and experience of sexuality lead to sexual health and well-being or place them at risk of ill-health. Violence, including sexual violence against women, is strongly correlated with women’s risk of becoming infected with HIV. In addition, violence against a woman can interfere with her ability to access treatment and care, maintain adherence to antiretroviral therapy or feed her infant in the way she would like. Health services, including those focusing on HIV treatment, care and prevention, provide an important entry point for identifying and responding to women who experience violence. The overarching issue-at the root of barriers to care, lack of services and low quality of existing care-was the high degree of stigma and discrimination experienced by HIV positive women. This and resulting violations of their human rights were prominent themes throughout the duration of both sides, and provided a backdrop to virtually all other topics discussed. Another major theme was the lack of the most basic services responsive to the needs of HIV-positive women. Women face significant barriers at the domestic, community, regional and national level. |
1. Familiarization of women and men on HIV/AIDS issues through Sensitization programmes, Counseling and Nutrition Demonstrations.
2. To develop and innovative and sustainable community-driven responses to reducing HIV amongst low-income women and Men. (through Awareness Programmes) |
| 1. Community Sensitization: |
Involvement of SHG (Self Help Group) members through sensitization on sexuality, personal hygiene and self care and early marriages.
Sensitization programme for the Community on HIV/SRH (Sexual Reproductive Health)Issues of men& women along with PLHAs (persons living with HIV/AIDS) This program is to identify and remove discrimination.
Community Sensitization of health care providers
Conducting meetings for the community women and WLHAs (women living with HIV/AIDS)
Sensitization meeting on SRH /HIV in community for Men.
Sensitization programs on linkages and referrals to the Referral Institutions |
| 2. Capacity Building Programme: Human Resource Development |
Vocational training programme for adolescent girls in the communities with the help of JSS (Vocational Training Institute)
Ammabadi (Mothers' school)
Training to Support Group members, Grannies, CLHA (children living with HIV/AIDS)/CAA (children affected by HIV/AIDS, SHG’s and Volunteers on SRH/HIV & AIDS.
Training to staff members on Monitoring and evaluation including MIS and Reporting
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Medical Check up for PLHA/CLHA twice a Week) at the community centers.
Adult support groups formation and Strengthening
Children support groups formation and strengthening.
Grannies clubs: Elderly women in the community who influence decision making in the family are formed into a group and provided knowledge and information by the Community and Care givers.
Meetings with Legal and Health Forum members
Meetings for girls/WLHAs on law, policies, rights, government Schemes, NGO services and entitlements
Nutrition & food demonstration
Emergency support
Referral to VCCTC/ PPTCT (Voluntary Counseling & Testing Center)
Condom demonstration |
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