A project to create HIV/AIDS awareness particularly among pregnant women, adolescents aged 14-19, students aged between 7 and 14 and the high risk groups of Truckers and Commercial Sex Workers. Funded by the MPT, the UDS successfully carried out their programme in four different mandals.
Their aim:
1. To create awareness and to educate the community to take on the responsibility of providing care and support for people living with AIDS.
2. To provide guidance, counselling and access to treatment for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
3. To prevent the harassment of affected persons by addressing stigma and social discrimination.
4. To equip the targeted people with information on the latest resource material on HIV/AIDS
5. Condom demonstration and distribution
This they did having identified 4 areas with a high incidence of HIV/AIDS, by organising rallies to educate the general public and also by running sensitization camps for the targeted sections of the community.
Conclusion:
1. The participant's level of awareness of HIV/AIDS was increased
2. People were motivated to undertake HIV tests
3. They became aware of services available to them, testing and treatment centres, rehabilitation centres etc.
4. The participants learnt and understood the importance of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS
5. The need for safe sex and condom use was fully understood
Result:
By inspiring and impressing those that participated in the programme, people from other villages and mandals are requesting that they too should have sensitization camps and organised rallies.