IAD Suraksha Project started its target intervention programme among MSMs, Sex workers, migrant labors and Clients of Sex workers in the year 2000.Since 10 years project is doing target intervention in Kasaragod District. Project identified 1545 MSMs with in the period. The project area of target intervention among MSMs in Kasaragod Municipality, Chengala Panchayath, Ajanoor Grama Panchayath, Chemnad Panchayath and Kanhangad Municipality.

Seven hundred Primary Stake Holders engage in Social marketing of condoms. Risk analysis chart is prepared for all Primary Stake Holders for risk categorization as high risk, medium risk and low risk. Separate service packages for each category to reduce the risk are on the process.

Majority of the MSMs in the project area of IAD are youngsters, ranging between the ages of 18 to 25 years. 26 PES have been positioned on 1: 60 ratios. STI service is available in the target area. One NGO Clinic and Five PPP clinic were established for the target community the condom distribution channels involving the peers, staffs, conventional and non conventional outlets are in place. The main focus of condom distribution is done on an individual basis, to address to the hesitancy shown by the MSMs in buying condom from outlets. KSHEMA (Karuna Shreyas Health Education Motivating Association), a CBO with 409 memberships is functioning for MSMs. The community participation is ensured in delivering the services effectively. The total estimate of 1545 is already under contact. The Peer communication units (PCU) will be done based on PLOP with a PE HRG ratio of 1: 60. With each peer communication units consisting of 60 members. Majority of the MSMs identified in the project are double duckers. The MSMs who are bisexual are high in number and need special focus as they engage in sex both with woman and men.

Objectives

To ensure the behavior change of the contacted MSMs to 70% and to reinforce and sustain   the   behavior change among them through increased STI care services, facilitation of  correct condom use, providing enabling environment, proper and scientific behavioral change communication(BCC) and community mobilization.

Outreach and communication: positioning and strengthening of the Outreach, as a system and procedure, in each PCU has the foremost task. This will facilitate effective communication and service delivery at each PCU. The structural unit of this system is the Social Network map derived through the social network analysis (SNA). Other components will be placed into this system. One to one communication, Counseling, follow up counseling, group discussions, bcc events, focus group discussions, video show, behavior change analysis are the tools and strategies for outreaching .

• Training of the PEs and the project staff based on the training need assessment.
• Revalidation and updating of the PLOP
• Risk categorization of the stake holders in each PCU
• One to one communication by the PE and the out reach worker.
• Focused group discussions
• Group discussions
• Field level outreach counseling
• Other relevant BCC events
• STI communication and education
• Condom Education, Condom events & skill development programs

Services:  STD identification and treatment, condom distribution, establishing Mobile condom outlets, community mobilization

• One to One sessions
• Counseling
• Referral
• STI screening & detailed body examination
• Regular medical checkup
• Treatment and follow up
• ICTC
• Condom gap analysis/ Condom requirement analyses in each PCU/Hotspot
• Mapping of all condom outlets in target area
• Sensitization of outlet vendors
• Strengthening the condom outlet
• Establishing a monitoring and tracking system for the condom movement
• Condom distribution through social market by CBO/PE based on the condom requirement at each PCU / Hotspot

Mobile Condom Outlet Polling Booth Survey

Setting up Of DIC’s

• Safe space and good atmosphere to interact with  each other
• counseling and information support
• STI clinics
• condom Pick up points
• Lubricants
• Entertainment facilities like caroms board ,music, T.V., Beauty Clinic etc

Enabling environment: Identification and listing of Key stakeholders through scientific stakeholder analysis will be the primary task. Appropriate and planned advocacy programs would facilitate the smooth functioning of the program. Apart from this, involving the key individuals and organizations as active members of the program will be given due consideration.

AIDS Day Observance

• Linkages & network with District administration, police, Taluk hospital, district hospital, social welfare department, Kudumbasree, trade unions, Merchants association etc.
• Mobilized the support from existing power structures in the society, networking with the Government and Non-Government agencies.
• Initiated varieties of programmes and activities to build cohesive group of the MSMs in Kasaragod area.
• Reduce the vulnerability factors towards the MSMs, by sensitizing the general public and authorities.
• Sensitized the PRIs, Officials, Doctors, and police for the creating an enabling environment.

Community mobilization: Undertaking Significant community mobilization activities with the sole objective of ensuring maximum service uptake and behavioral change. Forming new community groups along with the existing ones, community committees, Conducting Membership campaign, community events etc

The project facilitated the mobilization process of stakeholders by initiating need-based programmes, which include addressing the social and personal needs of the stakeholders and strengthen the functional coherence with them.

Community Based Activities

• DIC level meeting
• Hotspot level meeting
• Review meetings
• Community Events
• Stakeholders level meeting

Cultural Programmes by the stakeholders

 

Staffs of the project

A.A. Abdul Rahiman	Project Director
Sebin Jose MSW, M Phil	Project Manager
Liji U. M.A. Soc	M & E Officer
Sandhya Madhavan M Com	accountant
Sony George GNM	Nurse
Sreedhara Patali	Out Reach worker
Mahabal Naik	Out Reach worker
Thahira	Out Reach worker
Jayan A.K.	Out Reach worker
Shyju N.	Out Reach worker
Arun N.P.	Out Reach worker

Expected Output

• Identification and categorization of  risk behavior, risk reduction and safe sex practices
• Strengthen local support groups
• Development of volunteers in CBO and strengthening the CBO members to implement and monitoring the programme delivery
• Support from secondary and territory stake holders
• participation of stakeholders  in planning, monitoring
• Stake holder gathering
• Develop network with government and non government agencies to address social and personal needs of stakeholders

Project support structures and committees formed;

1. Project steering committee
2. Local steering committees (DIC wise)
3. Crisis committee
4. Various community committees

• SHG committee
• STI committee
• Condom Committee

Steering Committee, Kanhangad         Steering Committee, Cherkala

Goal:

‘Prevent the new infection of HIV/AIDS among the MSM population in Kasaragod, Chengala, Kanhangad, Chemnad and Ajanoor areas’

Objectives

• To reduce the degree of high-risk behavior among contacted MSMs by promoting safe sex practices and health seeking behavior within a period of one year.
• To capacitate KSHEMA (CBO) members for planning, implementing and monitoring various activities of PSH Project and organizational development by providing specific capacity building initiatives.
• To reduce stigma and social ostracize towards the MSM community.
• To maximize the networking with the Government and Non-Government agencies in the area and strengthen the functional coherence with them for addressing the social and personal needs of the stakeholders.

Monitoring system in the project

• Weekly meetings of Staff and Peer Educators
• Fortnightly meeting of PEs and team
• Monthly meeting of Project team and Peer Educators
• Desk analysis of baseline indicators
• Project steering committees or advisory committees
• KSACS/TSU monitoring