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Awareness drive
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The recent AIDS campaign in colleges helped students get an insight into the issue
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THE STATISTICS are astounding," is the common reaction of the college students in Hyderabad as they come to know that more than 90 per cent of people effected by AIDS are in the age group of 15-29. Even more alarming it is to learn that A.P has the second highest rate of infected people.
To create an awareness of the gravity of the situation is the aim of the A.P State Aids Control Society. Recently a `college talk AIDS programme' with specially trained lecturers addressing the students on the issue was held at different colleges. These trained personnel visited over 20 undergraduate and 37 Junior colleges in the Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad districts. The idea was to disseminate information about the disease, create an awareness about ways of transfer and methods of prevention. But more than this, the lecturers also allayed common misconceptions about the disease. According to State resource person, Dr. Aruna Reddy, "the aim was to sensitise young minds to the seriousness of the issue and also to give them relevant information on prevention, treatment and cure." The lecturers were chosen from different colleges and were given intensive training covering every aspect. The colleges covered in the city so far include Little Flower Junior college, V.N college of Commerce, Ramchandra college etc. Says a student of Government Degree College, Begumpet, "so far we've had only a partial knowledge, now we are more aware." Another student also agrees, "the session has been very informative." The sessions also encouraged student participation. Levels of risk behaviour, medical facts of HIV/AIDS, counselling and testing centres, were dealt with by the trained lecturers.
The core person of A.P State Aids Control Society, Dr. M S Reddy said, "this was one of a kind series of lectures. We were speaking to one of the most vulnerable section of society; the youngsters. By doing this we were not only educating them but also creating awareness and concern in them for the rest of the society."
UZMA HYDER
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