Red light on Calcutta; health via schools in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

UKs Overseas Development Administration (ODA) is supporting a project in a Calcutta slum (Sonagachi) where sex workers trained in prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV distribute condoms to other sex workers and educate them about STD/HIV prevention. Their green coat designates their status. They work out of a small clinic in Sonagachi which maintains the records and provides inexpensive diagnosis and treatment. Condom use among sex workers has increased from 2.7% to 67.8%. The public health specialist heading up the project hopes that the triple approach (peer education STD treatment and condom distribution) will keep HIV infections at their current low level (1-2%). He and his colleagues are evaluating this approach in five other red light districts of Calcutta. ODA also supports the Andhra Pradesh School Health Project. It involves the training of primary school teachers and multipurpose health workers development of a health curriculum a loan plan for furnishing health workers with mopeds and medicine kits for schools. Project-related research includes effectiveness of teachers as health promoters and evaluations of salt fortified with iodine and iron and water fluoridation. If this projects evaluation is good it will need a new headquarters in Hyderabad. Both projects emphasize good record keeping and evaluation.