The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65446

K Naveen, MBBS¹, C Anil, MBBS¹, M.A. Balasubramanya, MBBS, DA¹, S Mahesh, MBBS¹, Vijayabhaskar R Kandula, MD, MPH², and Vijay Kumar Lingegowda, MD, MSEd³. (1) Rural Oriented Health Initiative (ROHINI), Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Hanchipura Road, Saragur, H.D.Kote Taluk, Mysore District, Mysore, 571121, India, (2) Research, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, 99 N La Cienega Blvd, St 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 3233639139, emailreddy@yahoo.com, (3) Internal Medicine, Dakota Clinic, 401 3 St. SE, Jamestown, ND 58401

Methodology: Subjects for were chosen randomly and four focus groups (total participants=45) were formed from the six administrative zones in the taluk (county). Three sets of questionnaires were administered to focus groups and individuals.

Findings: Condom awareness is abysmally low, especially among adolescents and worse in adolescent women. There is an unmet need for condoms (20% of men did not use condom because they did not know the right method). More than half the women do not have adequate risk perception. Majority of men migrate in search of work (thrice a year for a total average of one month). During this time they indulge in high-risk sex; average number of partners is two and none use condoms. All agreed that sex outside marriage is socially unacceptable. But about half (52% of male and 62% of female) believ pre-marital sex exists. Three-fourths (93% of men and 45% of women) believ extra-marital sex is common. Majority of adolescents are not aware of sexually transmitted infections (boys=76% and girls=100%).

Conclusion: There is high prevalence of high-risk behavior and lack of awareness about AIDS and STI prevention. Overwhelming majority of men migrate and indulge in high-risk sex. Adolescents, especially girls are particularly not well informed. This combination of factors promotes spread from high-risk groups (migrant male workers) into the community (regular female partners). Immediate efforts are needed to increase AIDS awareness and safe sexual practices. To be effective such programs should factor social norms and cultural sensitiveness of the community.

Learning Objectives:

• The study gives insight into the attitudes, beliefs, risk behaviors and social norms in a rural community
• Appreciate factors to be considered in developing a culturally sensitive AIDS awareness campaign and community based interventions

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, International Health

Related Web page: WWW.VIVEKAMYSORE.COM

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.