FIELD VISIT TO VAIGAI NETWORK, SHENOY NAGAR, MADURAI

Presented by TEAM 3

Learning Objective
To understand how HIV-AIDS, a pandemic is considered and

conceived by people, and how intimately they are linked to factors such as traditional practices, gender issues and beliefs To understand what type of culturally appropriate programs for HIV AIDS is implemented, with focus on the economically backward and marginalized people in the society To understand how this NGO Vaigai Network assists the affected people socio-economically, and helps for their sustenance

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Back Ground About The Issue

Age group 16 to 35 25000 individuals in Madurai 14000 enrolled for the

ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) in GH out of which 4000 through Vaigai Network Means through which the Chronically Manageable Disease spreads (i) Injecting Drug Users Free Needle System (FNS) (ii) Blood Transfusion (iii)To the Newborn Parents Prevention Check (Nevirapine tabs and syrups) (iv) Unsafe sex Family & Commercial Sex Workers (FSW & CSW) controlled - misplaced trust
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CASE STUDY

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Case Study 1 A Tailor

Age : 38 confesses he had few illicit relationships at

his teens Discovered having affected by STD by 22 and later AIDS in 29 known only to his Elder Brother, wife and her uncle fears rejection by society if revealed Joined Vaigai Network last year - takes ART for the past 1 year hopes to postpone Death to up to 25 years Earns nearly Rs.100/ day Two girls - 3rd and LKG both unaffected

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Case Study-2
Year of identification: 2008

Treatment level: first level tablets

No of family members: 3 Affected person(s): 1 -Gender: F Place:Vandiyur Disclosure to family members: husband and her

sister

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Problems faced
Sister did not accept in the family

Not prepared to show her identification as a

victim to the diseases Disclosing their identities in the helping grants in front of their children causes mental trauma Government whose primary duty is to protect the identity of the affected people but in the grants like free bus pass exposes their identity

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Case study 3
Family members 4

Affected persons 2 (mother and her second kid)

Year of identification 2005 Treatment level first level tablets Place Alanganallur

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Problems Faced
Her husband is avoiding her Only person taking care of her second kid Not prepared to show her identification as a victim of

HIV Though they live in a same house, she feels isolated She is forced to work for her second kids livelihood(MGNREGA scheme)

Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Case Study 4
Family members: 4

Affected persons: 2
Year of identification: 2008 Treatment level: First level of tablets Place : Vikramakulam Income through pension (widow pension scheme)

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Problems Faced
She was thrown away from her house

There is no support from her second husbands

house She couldnt work as she is very weak she is not able to take proper care of her child. Expenditure exceeds income Property disputes

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Case Study-5
No of members- 4 No of infected persons-3(mother, two daughters) Treatment level-1st level of medicines Year of identification-2002

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Problems Faced
Not prepared to show her identification as a victim to

the diseases Educating her daughters with the help of Punitha Andal Katpagam trust Educating her son with the help of Vaigai network She is getting widow pension Rs-950 instead of Rs1000. And working in dry cleaning shop for Rs-130/day but she couldnt work for all 7 day due to health problem

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Relating the Issue to Poverty

Distribution in TN and Madurai Reasons

- Migrants from villages seeking jobs and daily wagers - during festive season many villagers become carriers of the virus - Masons, Load men, Unsupported women, autorikshaw walas, cooks, weavers, FSWs - Loans up to Rs 10000 with 0.50 to 1% ROI for victims by Vaigai Network

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

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ABOUT THE VAIGAI NETWORK

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

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Projects of Vaigai Network

Treatment counseling center

Positive living center

Access to care and treatment Promoting access to care and treatment

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

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The Occupation of HIV People in the Network

45% 40%
35% 30% 25% 20% % OF HIV PEOPLE 15% 10% 5% 0%

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Financial Status of HIV People in the Network

FINANCIAL STATUS
5% 15%

BELOW POVERTY UPPER MIDDLE CLASS MIDDLE CLASS

80%

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

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Government Schemes to the HIV People

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

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Government Orders To Control HIV Transmission

1990-blood test before donating at hospitals

2006-parent prevention child

2012-free needle system to drug addicts

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Experience
Mr. Ayyappan the President of Vaigai Network of Positive People gave

us the brief introduction on the various challenges he faced after being diagnosed with HIV
We were confronted with questions regarding general health conditions He broke the various myth regarding HIV AIDS and ways it spreads We interacted with various people affected with HIV AIDS and they

explained the hurdles they experienced in their life

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Observation
Peoples confidence was generally high due to the counseling they have

received from the Vaigai Network of Positive People

They were hesitant to share some details personal details and their

identity
They were reasonably healthy after undergoing the treatment ART(Anti

Retroviral Treatment)
The fear of being socially discriminated, they have not disclosed their

health condition to their family and friends

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Learning

Myths regarding HIV AIDS were broken like

HIV does not spread through food

HIV becomes inactive when it is exposed to the atmosphere With proper treatment and food habits, +ve people can lead a normal life like others

Spread of HIV
Through blood transmission has almost prevented by the Government Order making

it mandatory for testing HIV before transmission

Through use of needles to general public has been prevented by

Government Order by making use of disposable syringes

By birth to child from mother has been prevented by using the Neviropin drug to

both mother and baby

Through unsafe sex depends on the individuals attitude or by the use of condom

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012

Conclusion
Most people in general public are unaware of the

means by which the disease spreads High stigma among the infected persons to disclose their identity and also the lack of recognition and respect to the affected persons by others Lack of sex education and AIDS awareness even among the well educated people and youth which hinders the rate of fall of the new victims VCTC ( Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre) certification should be submitted compulsory at the time of marriage
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Thank you

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Field Visit to Vaigai Network - Team 3

7/6/2012