The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : HIV/AIDS awareness low among migrant labourers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 08, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

HIV/AIDS awareness low among migrant labourers

By Ramya Kannan

CHENNAI, NOV. 7. In a State where official data puts the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS at 98 per cent, large pockets of ignorance continue to remain.

This is the finding of a study conducted by the Migrant Forum, Chennai, in 2001-2002 (and published in 2004) at and around Kalpakkam, about 60 km from the city, among potential migrants (those who are waiting to go abroad), labourers who have returned (returnees) and their spouses.

The villages identified near Kalpakkam, in a 25-km radius, are Sadras, Pudhupattinam, Manamai, Kunnathur, Koovattur, Keelakalani, Neikuppi, Meiyur, Vayalur, Nathembedu, Vepancheri, Vengambakkam, Kadambadi and Mahabalipuram. The fisherfolk there, put out of job with the establishment of the Kalpakkam atomic power station, have been forced to seek work elsewhere. They get trained in some skill for a brief period at Kalpakkam and seek semi-skilled jobs abroad, according to the Forum researchers. The migrants include men and women in the 20-35 age group, headed mostly for the Middle East and Southeast Asia to work as domestic help, masons, sweepers, tailors and construction workers on a three-year contract.

"Most of the migrant labourers are in the sexually active age group. Staying away from home in an alien nation prompts them to commit certain excesses that make them vulnerable to HIV infection," said Bernard D'Sami, who was part of the research team.

Myths, misconceptions

While the team suspected that education and awareness among the villagers were considerably low, the study established that traditional myths and misconceptions were still alive.

The study also shows that a greater percentage of potential migrants seem to be unaware of the scientific facts of HIV/AIDS. At least 32 per cent of the respondents are alcoholics — a high-risk group, making them vulnerable to the infection. While 81 per cent of them are aware of the condition of HIV/AIDS, 66 per cent of them seem to believe that a child can be infected if the mother, who is positive, hugs or kisses it. About 60 per cent believe that the disease is curable and 54 per cent are ignorant of the steps to be taken to avoid HIV infection.

Among the spouses, while awareness of how the virus spreads and knowledge of preventive methods are rather high, an alarming 87 per cent of them believe that HIV/AIDS is curable. About 73 per cent of the returnees said mothers could spread the infection to their children by hugging and kissing them.

The Forum launched a campaign in the villages, providing information about the virus and how the people can protect themselves from infection. Dr. D'Sami says the situation has improved in the area and the migrants welcome the pre-departure briefings. He urges that the Government include migrants as an indicator in the sentinel surveillance on HIV/AIDS.

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