Karnataka - Bellary   

Use of condoms on the rise in Bellary

Staff Correspondent

SESSION: Volunteers at an interaction session organised by the FPAI to create awareness about HIV, AIDS and their prevention in Bellary.

BELLARY: The Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), Bellary branch, seems to have shown the way in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS and its prevention.

The fact that the use of condoms is on the rise in the district as a whole and the target groups such as commercial sex workers are now more aware of taking preventive measures indicates that the FPAI has hit the bull's eye.

Nearly two lakh condoms are being distributed every month, says Jayakumar, Coordinator of Bellary District AIDS Prevention Society.

The FPAI, to drive home the point about the need to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, came out with the novel idea.

It ensured the direct participation of the people of all ages in the interaction session instead of organising lectures by experts in the field. For, not many would be in a position to understand, or attentive enough in some cases, what is being explained by experts.

The FPAI came out with pictures/sketches of a family with rural background asking the people, who would be in groups, to affix the same on a sheet and narrate a story.

Later, the groups would be asked to explain as to the social and economic impact on the family in which a person was suffering from HIV/AIDS and what would be the position of the family in the next five years.

During this interactive session, many a group would come out with its own ideas and opinions. Such an exercise would help the resource persons to understand the capability, the grasping power, the knowledge about the disease, reasons for its spreading, misconceptions and the like.

Then, the resource persons would explain in detail the aspects of the disease, how to prevent it from spreading, where treatment was being given and also about other facilities available.

Similarly, the FPAI has come out with formation of words to clear the doubts among the youth and students about sex and educate them in the matter scientifically.

The FPAI has introduced a "talking condom" which will explain about the use of condom and also clear misconceptions about it. A large model of a condom has been prepared and a tape recorder, inserted in it, has been used to narrate. The script, which runs about 12 minutes, besides explaining the advantages of using condom informs the people where condoms are available.

``Such a process has helped us to disseminate the message about the prevention of spread of HIV/AIDS with ease. People are directly involved in the interaction which helps them to get their doubts and misconception cleared,'' says S.V. Kulkarni, FPAI branch manager.

The FPAI has set up a cell to impart sex education and also explain about the responsibility of youths/students. As many as 30 select primary school teachers have been trained. In addition, youth leaders have been trained to impart sex education to school dropouts in villages.

Apart from introducing treatment for sexually transmitted diseases at its branch office, the FPAI has started a voluntary counselling and testing centre (VCTC).

"Our aim is to ensure that with the help of scientific education, youths are inculcated a responsible attitude towards sex and also learn how to protect themselves from the dreaded disease," Mr. Kulkarni adds.

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