 The
slum areas of Chennai host a high
incidence of HIV and AIDS infection
due to the lack of community knowledge
on healthy behaviors and modes of
transmission. MCCSS works to expand
HIV and AIDS intervention from the
accessible areas of Chennai to its
poorest areas of urban slum-life and
hutment.
MCCSS focuses particularly in the
vulnerable adolescent community, offering
life skills education and HIV/AIDS
awareness to all schools in project
areas. The HIV/AIDS Prevention and
Awareness Programme continues to broaden
geographically within Chennai and
internally by improving the standard
of care received by HIV/AIDS patients.
The implementation of home visits
between MCCSS staff and local slum-dwellers
works to identify and understand the
behaviors and practices of high risk
individuals. This aspect of the intervention
project handles issues ranging from
individual STI symptoms to referral
services for counseling and support
of infected community members and
their families.
Among the slum dwelling community,
MCCSS staff conduct group meetings
that deal with various issues of health
and wellness among different sectors
of the society. Meeting topics range
from occupational training for auto-rickshaw
and lorry drivers to workshops on
the behaviors and safety of adolescents.
Group exhibitions and engaging street
plays are used by MCCSS staff and
volunteers to convey messages of health
and wellness during group meetings,
area level campaigns and public awareness
gatherings.
Peer involvement in community campaigns
and public awareness is vital to the
HIV/AIDS Intervention Programme.
Mass campaigns are organized in community
clusters with the combined participation
of MCCSS staff members and the local
population. These campaigns include
activities like educational seminars,
workshops, school intervention, training
among adolescents and treatment for
infected community members.
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