DAPCU Coimbattore, Tamil Nadu Response-September 2012 Theme:

Positive Prevention Programs in Coimbatore District DAPCU

• Voluntary HIV testing and counseling that is confidential, consenting and with appropriate pre and post-test counseling.
• Diagnostic testing to monitor HIV and the immune system and regular screening, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.
• Antiretroviral therapy, including beyond first-line drugs, information and counseling on treatment literacy and services to support adherence to drug regimens.
• Regular screening, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
• Prevention of opportunistic infections through drug prophylaxis and environmental interventions (nutrition, clean water, bed nets), and treatment when infections occur.
• Ensuring adequate, affordable supplies of male and female condoms and lubricants, and promoting their use.
• Sexual and reproductive health care like contraceptive services, maternal health services, and gynecologic and urologic care.
• Programs to support positive pregnant women and antenatal care to help them promote the health of their unborn child, including preventing parent-to-child transmission.
• Nutritional education, blood safety counseling and assistance.
• Diagnosis, counseling and treatment for depression and other mental health issues, which are common among people living with HIV.
• Counseling to build self-esteem, relationship counseling, risk-reduction counseling, including both individual counseling and skills-building.
• A person living with HIV and Positive Network NGO’s spoken openly and increase solidarity.
• Counseling for sero-discordant couples. These sessions should acknowledge the need for couples to express intimacy through sex and work to identify ways to have sex more safely. Counseling around exercise and encourage regular physical activity.
•  Peer support groups, especially for vulnerable groups including women, young people, young people born positive, sex workers, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men.
•  Substance use interventions sensitive to the needs of people living with HIV.
•  Help in obtaining a safe, affordable place to live and services to ensure transportation to health clinics and places of employment.
• Child care services to enable parents to obtain health care, to work, and to participate fully in counseling and support activities.
• Employment assistance and income-generating and micro-credit programs
• Legal assistance to cope with issues such as HIV-related discrimination, insurance coverage. Advocacy and counseling trainings to support the greater involvement of people living with HIV.
• Specific training for health care providers in the health care needs of people living with HIV, as well as counseling and training on treating people living with HIV with dignity and respect
• Mass media campaigns to combat stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
• Training for journalists in how to report accurately and sensitively on issues related to people living with HIV.

Coimbatore DAPCU is doing above Positive prevention programs in our district. At the same time, positive prevention is linked to other preventive health care efforts, including efforts to prevent HIV transmission. Everyone is responsible for stopping the transmission of HIV and everyone also has a role to play in making sure treatment is available, reducing stigma and discrimination, and reforming punitive and ineffective laws. Positive prevention will succeed “when everyone joins together for the same cause”; successful positive prevention will benefit everyone.