Introductory Session by Project Director on HIV/AIDS and Family Life Education

Pravara Medical Trust, Loni, in collaboration with Stina and Birgir Johanasson foundation, Linkoping, Sweden has started a project on HIV/AIDS & FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION for adolescent and youth population in 100 in the target area under Primary Health Centers Loni (Dadh), Kolhar, Rahata with the following objectives

a] Long Term Objectives

To change the attitude and behavior of the adolescent and youth of the target area by promoting the responsible behavior and healthy practices in respect to sex and its related behavioral problems. To prevent and control spread of STD/HIV/AIDS in general and the target area In particular

Medico- Social Worker Explains the need to change the attitude and behavior of the adolescent (school students) to prevent HIV/AIDS.

b) Short term Objectives

1. To assess the pre & post intervention knowledge of the youth In the villages and student community & teachers from high school, junior colleges of six Primary Health Centers, in Talukas Shrirampur, Sanganmer & Rahuri regarding sex, and sex related problems and behavior, especially those related to STD/HIV/AIDS
2. To assess Knowledge, Attitude & Behavior (DAB) regarding sexuality & HIV/AIDS among adolescent and youth population in study & control areas.
3. To involve community structure (Youth Club members – male & female, female health volunteers, anganwadis) in the villages in HIV/AIDS awareness programmes,
4. To compare any changes in KAB in study & control areas.
5. To orient Head Masters/ Principals of the schools and college about STD/HIV/AIDS,
6. To train Nodal Teachers (NT) and Peer Student Communicators (PSC) from each school and college available training modules,
7. To ‘profile information about Human reproductive biology relationship, sexual behavior personal skills and sexual health to school and colleges students by using NT & PSC,
8. To educate students youths from high schools, junior colleges on basic facts about STD/HIV/AIDS using NT & PSCs.
9. To educate non-school going youth through Community structure.

1. After having discussed with Heads of the educational institutions, members of District Education Department and District Head Masters Association, Strategies were planned for effective implementation of the project.
2. All the schools, youth clubs and other community organisations were enlisted.
3. The training/teaching material regarding Sex and AIDS aducation procured and health education Material was printed as per the need and distributed to all the schools/ colleges, Mahila mandals, Anganwadis, youth clubs and other community Based Organisations.
4. Base line survey will be carried out to assess KAB among a study and control area.
5. Two Nodal Teachers (NT) and four Peer Student Communicators (PSC) from each school selected and training of NTs & PSCs jointly in different batches of four days duration workshops on sex education we well as AIDS education at Pravara Medical Trust Loni were organised.
6. AIDS education Committee in every school were establishment to plan, implement and minor the activities in the school under chairmanship of Head master/Principal with NTs, PSCs – Local social worker, a Medical practitioner and the field officer of this project as members.

7. AIDS education committee in every school conducts Family Life and HIV/AIDS education once a week and also organises Role, Slogans, songs, essay competitions, elocution Poster competitions, Question box etc., to reinforce the knowledge.

8.The staff of the project and Peer Educators covers all 100 villages. They held meeting with the Female Health Volunteers, Anganwadi and Mahila Mandal Members to discuss the issues related to the HIV/AIDS and Family Life Education.

9.A film on HIV/AIDS and Family Life Education has been developed for the schools/colleges and villages to disseminate the information.

10.A team consisted of Mr. Claes and Mr. Anders from Stina and Birgir Johanssons foundation, Sweden has visited project area in January 2001 to assess and monitor the progress of the project. They were highly impressed with working of the project.

• Chairman : Dr.Ashok Patil, Chief Executive PMT,Loni
• Vice Chairman :
  Dr.Bjorn Bergdahl
  Professor of Internal Medicine
  Linkoping University, Sweden
• Members :
  
  1. Trustee & Secretary, PMT,Loni
  2. District Education Officer, Ahmednagar
  3. Secretary, Pravara Rural Education Society, Loni
  4. Principal , Rural Medical College,Loni
  5. Medical Suprintendent, Pravara Rural Hospital,Loni
  6. Dr.H.K.Kashyap, Prof & Head, Dept.of Obst.& Gyn.,PRH,Loni
  7. Mr.D.T.Shelke,Chief Admin Officer,Pravara Medical Trust,Loni

1. Mr.K.V.Somasundaram, Prof & Head,Biostatistics
2. Dr.Girish Dhumale , Professor of PSM,RMC ,Loni
3. Dr.(Ms)S.S.Kadam , Professor of PSM,RMC ,Loni
4. Dr.Sanjeev Kulkarni , Lecturer in Microbiology,RMC,Loni
5. Dr.K.C.Jain , Professor & Head Deptof Paediatrics,PRH,Loni
6. Dr.M.Patwekar , Professor in Skin/VD,PRH,Loni