TI Project

Introduction

There are 2.47 million persons in India living with HIV, equivalent to approximately 0.36 percent of the adult population. The revised national estimate reflects the availability of improved data rather than a substantial decrease in actual HIV prevalence in India. Though sexual mode remains the major mode of HIV transmission, Injecting drug use is also emerging as an important mode of transmission in some parts of the country. HIV epidemic in India is concentrated in nature as HIV Prevalence among high risk groups continues to be high (is six to eight times of that among the general population).  Since identification of first HIV case in 1987, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed consistent increase in HIV reporting. MP being second largest state of India has more then 11,500 HIV positive and 2580 AIDS cases reported till February 2008.

Raisen District lies in the central part of Madhya Pradesh. The District is situated between the latitude 22 47' and 23 33' north and the longitude 7721' and 78 49' east. It is bounded in the west by Sehore district, in the north by Vidisha district, in the ease and south-east by Sagar district, in the south-east by Narsimhapur district, and in the south by Hoshangabad and Sehore district. The total area of the District is 8,395 Sq. Km., which contains the 1.93 % of the State's area.

Obedullaganj is a town and a nagar panchayat in Raisen district . As of 2001 India census Obedullaganj had a population of 19,955. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Obedullaganj has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 59%. It is situated on the National Highway No.7 Bhopal – Hoshangabad stretch. The industrial town Mandideep is very close to Obaidullaganj.

The massive mapping exercise conducted by National AIDS Control Organization in Madhya Pradesh revealed that there are approximately 693 Female Sex Workers and 38 MSMs are operating in and around Obedullaganj area. FPA India will be targeting these High Risk Behavior Groups for its targeted intervention project. Factors that heighten sex workers' HIV vulnerability in Obedullganj include  limited access to health, social and legal services; sexual exploitation, harmful, or a lack of, protective legislation and policies; gender-related differences and inequalities; limited access to information and prevention means; stigmatization and marginalization; exposure to lifestyle-associated risks such as violence, mobility and substance abuse.