Is there a road to combat HIV on the highways?

May 22, 2006

SHANTANU NANDAN SHARMA: TIMES NEWS NETWORK [sUNDAY, MAY 21, 2006

12:01:46 AM]

NEW DELHI: With better highway amenities and lesser stop times,

there could be a reduction of high-risk behaviour and prevalence of

HIV/AIDS among 5 mn truckers and helpers in India, analysts said.

In fact, better infrastructure, safer roads, access to hygienic food

and other amenities in the roadside dhabas are happening when NHAI,

NACO and some select NGOs have stepped up their intervention

programmes.

Already, a cell at NHAI head office has been working on a model to

combat the prevalence of the disease among truckers. Analysts feel

that more serious interventions are now necessary as the epidemic

has spread from high-risk mobile groups to general population,

especially wives/partners and children of truck drivers and helpers

in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and

Karnataka.

D P Agarwal, MD, Transport Corporation of India (TCI), told ET that

an improvement of dhabas on the six-laned highways might play a

positive role in curbing the disease among this mobile segment.

" Now, good quality and hygienic dhabas are coming up along the

highways. That's a good sign. While undertaking India's largest HIV

intervention among truckers, we have mostly targeted the dhabas

which are generally the conduits between drivers and sex workers in

the nearby villages.

The problem could be tackled only if there is a proper awareness

among drivers, and condoms are made readily available. Good road,

less fatigue and hygienic food and water will help it further to

curb the threat " , Agarwal said.

In fact, the action plan prepared by the NHAI to control HIV/AIDS

along the highways, has envisaged programmes like organising camps

among target groups, displaying IEC materials at strategic locations

and maintaining them, promoting behaviour change communication

(BCC), condom promotion, social marketing and/or free distribution

of condoms, and referring people to treatments available for STD /

HIV / AIDS at nearby hospitals or clinics.

Studies have shown in the past that illiteracy, ignorance and being

away from home for long stretches are the main reasons behind the

spread of infection among truckers

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