“MY HEALTH" CAMPAIGN FOR THE ESTATE WORKERS IN KODAGU

Kodagu is a rural region with most of the economy based on agriculture, plantations and forestry. Coffee processing is a major economic contributor. Most of the people are engaged in coffee plantation work, which is the backbone of this economy. The major industries are Coffee Curing industries, Spices, Honey and Wax products. In recent years, tourism has begun to play a role in the economy, which has let to mushrooming of hotels and hence has attracted significant number of migrants from across the state and country. The population in rural area is about 86.38 % and population in urban areas is 14.61 %. The reason being the rural areas are wider when compared to urban areas. It is one the five tribal belts of Karnataka. According to the 2011 census of India, Kodagu has a population of 5,54,762.  This ranks it 539 out of 640 districts in India in terms of population. The district has a population density of 135 inhabitants per square kilometre (350 /sq mi).  Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 1.13% and has a sex ratio of 1019 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 82.52%.

•      The epidemic in Kodagu shows a decreasing trend since the last three year. 

•     The drivers of the epidemic in the district are thought to be the daily wageworkers, which include tribal and other backward class population.  

•      As coorg is largely a coffee growing district, it attracts large number of estate workers from across the state and sometime from other states. 

•      There are 10,725 labourers registered in Labour Department (These are the labours working above 5 acres of land). There is more number of labours, if we include below 5 acres estates. And 46115 tribal estimated in the district. 

•      It is observed that due to factors such as accessibility to health care facilities, illiteracy, dependence on the estate owners (tribal’s are not the decision makers) the health seeking behaviour specifically HIV testing and condom use among the tribal population is relatively lower.   

•      As on date, information collected from the DAPCUs around 43 tribals have been identified positives. However, the denominator is not known, as the ICTC data does not capture cast wise details, hence the positivity among the tribal population is not known. 

It is largely felt that specific tribal groups (such as the yeravas, kurabs) have a high risk of acquiring HIV due to their high-risk behaviour and cultural practises.

In order to develop a comprehensive plan of action, detailed understanding of the HIV scenario in the district and to design this campaign for ICTC demand generation, the following steps were undertaken.

OBJECTIVES:

•       Health seeking behaviour among the estate workers including tribes

•      Motivating the estate workers to avail the services available in the    District

•      Increase in HIV Testing & Counselling service in the District

PRE-LAUNCH PROGRAMME:

•      Under the Chairmanship of Deputy commissioner  Kodagu , Preliminary Meeting with the Stakeholder-Department & NGO has been conducted on 09-10-12. On the same day Core-Committee has been formed.

•  Training for ANM & ASHA Worker has been completed in the District in November-12, with the support of DHO & Taluk Health Officers of Virajpet & Somwarpet

•      Training for Anganwadi Worker has been completed in the District in November-12, with the support of DD & CDPO women & Child Welfare.

•       3 sensitization programmes for the estate owners has been done in the month of November-12.

•      Campaign Details were briefed to the Medical Officers during meeting

•       Explained in detail about the Campaign & the roles & responsibilities of the ICTC staff  to all the ICTC staff during the monthly meeting 

•      Date : 12-12-2012

•      Place : Virajpet

•   Procession(Jaatha) : at 9.30 a.m from Raja Rajeshwari Theatre, Virajpet, through the main Town  till Town Hall Virajpet, by the RRC students of Govt First Grade College & Kavery college Virajpet.

     

     During the Procession a Street Play by the Folk Team Karwar, has been played in the mid of the Town (Near Clock Tower)

     •     Stage Programme inaugurated by Mrs. Usha Devamma, Vice President, Zilla Panchayath.

  • Folk Programme-Street Play by Karwar Team

Continuation of the Programme :

Sensitisation & HIV-AIDS Counselling in all the PHC’s of Virajpet & Somwarpet Taluk, for the Estate workers.