In an effort to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS, the "Condom Vapra Campaign" (use condom campaign) was launched today to promote their use in 22 high-prevalence districts of Maharashtra. | |
| During the campaign, a multi-sectoral initiative backed by the state government, 14,000 condom vending machines will be installed in non-traditional outlets like restaurants, bars and public toilets in the districts in two phases, Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) CEO G Manoj said. |
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| The other partners in the initiative are USAID, AVERT society and other NGOs. Maharashtra was chosen for the intiative as 22 of the 49 high-risk districts in the country are in the state. |
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| Moreover, the high-risk group in Maharashtra includes migratory workers and youths aged 21 to 26. |
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| "This is a unique situation in Maharashtra as a study showed that 60 per cent of multi-sex partners do not consider they are at high risk of getting the disease," Manoj said. |
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| Various modes of communication form part of the awareness, education and implementation campaign.This is the first effort by HLFPPT to work with HIV/AIDS high-risk groups and promote condoms as part of social marketing efforts, he said. |
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| In some high-risk districts like Sangli and Satara, NGOs and the government are together working by visiting commerical sex workers. |
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