A state level World AIDS Day event was held in Nagpur at Government Medical College on 1st December 2010. It was jointly organized by Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society along with Avert Society. Health Minister, Shri. Suresh Shetty, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare formally inaugurated the Maharashtra State Level Migrant Communication Campaign. The launch was attended by other state dignitaries including Minister for Medical Education & Drug Administration, Shri. Vijay Kumar Gavit, State Minister for Public Health, Prof. Fauzia Khan, State Minister for Medical Education Shri. D.P. Sawant, Additional Chief Secretary Shri. J.K. Banthia and Secretary Medical Education Shri. Milind Mhaiskar. The supported Non-Governmental Organizations organized a rally as well as an exhibition cum information stall display at the venue. Also, the Mobile ICTC cum STI van supported by Avert Society was inaugurated for the purpose of service uptake by migrants in the risk group in the district during the campaign phase of three months beginning December 2010 to February 2011.

NACO Migrant Strategy:

As part of National AIDS Control Programme III, and the revised migrant strategy, NACO has envisaged identifying high out migration locations at Source, Transit and Destination to provide information about HIV/AIDS and STI, and on safe migration. Maharashtra is one of the popular destinations among the migrants. The state has registered a large volume of migrant population. The comprehensive knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention is as low as 33.7 percent and access to credible sources of information is also stated to be poor. Hence, the need for designing and implementing a migrant focused communication campaign was imperative.

As per the NACO’s directive, the migrant revised strategy was implemented and to create awareness and uses a media mix of wall writing, hoardings, bus panels, display boards, folk troupe and IEC Van activities which will be employed at workplaces and congregation points to increase knowledge through infotainment. The focus is to underscore the key messages by using ‘the surround and engage approach’. The campaign activities will therefore comprise of both standalone activities and intensification of communication through current targeted intervention activities.

Partners in 21 Districts:

Apart from MSACS, MDACS, Avert Society and DAPCU, state level partners like JHU, CFAR, PSI, DKT have also supported this migrant campaign at the grass root level.

Key outcomes of campaign:

 

1. Increased uptake of ICTC services
2. Increase in treatment seeking behavior for STI Clinic
3. Increase correct and consistent condom use