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Involvement of vulnerable community of female sex workers, male sex with male and people living with HIV/AIDS for service delivery, protection, empowerment in Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, India
P. Prameelamma1, K. Sudhakar Reddy2, K. Rangapareddy Umamahesh1, D. Usharani3
1Serve Train Educate People's Society (STEPS), Health, Srikalahasti, India, 2Serve Train Educate People's Society (STEPS), Law & Human Rights, Srikalahasti, India, 3Serve Train Educate People's Society (STEPS), Women Empowerment, Srikalahasti, India
Background: Multifaceted vulnerable community mobilization approach like social marketing, combining mass media, community activation,policy targeted strategies, and protection of human rights of community are internal part of all prevention programmes . Formation and strengthening of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Access to treatment, need of freedom and flexibility to run CBOS. Improving socio economic condition of community members.
Methods: Formation of CBOs by enrolling key population as members. Development of collaborative relationship between Government ,civil society and CBOs formed by key population concerned with HIV/AIDS to ensure progress in HIV prevention, Protection, Empowerment programmes. Providing training in income generation programmes. Involving CBO members in all programmes for service delivery.
Results: In 5 sites surrounding Srikalahasti 1411 key population were identified. Among them 415 are People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) , 441 are Male Sex with Male (MSMs) and 555 are Female Sex Workers (FSWs). They were provided training and motivated to form CBOs. One MSM CBO with 154 (34.92%) members and one FSW CBO with 163 (29.36%) members were formed and legally registered. one PLHA CBO formed and to be registered The Two CBOs consisting of 317(22.4%) covering all the 5 sites started functioning and the remaining 1094(77.6%) community members are in the process of starting CBOs at individual sites The members elected office bearers and opened bank account for financial transactions. STEPS legal protection cell is constituted to safe guard rights of CBO members. They started income generating units with the support from the financial institutions and getting income through social marketing
Conclusions: The CBO members are motivating other community members to enroll as members and conducting advocacy programmes, awareness camps during important festivals to create awareness about HIV/AIDS among general population. The CBO members are getting acquainted with the running of different programmes by themselves because they would be leading HIV prevention programmes.
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