Taxis Drive AIDS Out of Sri Lanka
Aware of the huge problems faced by neighbouring countries and those in Africa, Sri Lankan Non Government Organisations are not taking any chances and are using innovative methods to keep the spread of HIV under control. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka is lower than other nations in the region, such as Thailand, but infection rates are increasing across the country.
With assistance from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) a Sri Lankan NGO specialising in development communication, Worldview, has been using a new medium to communicate the prevention message in Sri Lanka - taxi drivers. These communicators are the three-wheel taxi drivers (TWTDs) who operate in the capital city of Colombo and the suburbs. They are also known as 'autos' or 'trishaws'.
It is estimated that there are over 60,000 three wheeler taxis in operation. Other taxis are limited in number and are relatively expensive. Therefore, TWTDs are the most popular mode of transport for all social classes, as well as for budget tourists.
The nature of their profession means that TWTDs are close to the night life and commercial sex workers. Often they are 'contacts' or 'associates' for sex workers, which makes them an ideal medium to deliver safe sex and other HIV prevention messages to the community.
To date, more than 6,000 TWTDs have been educated on the issues so far. Young people are more likely to catch HIV through unsafe sex than any other part of the community. With one third of the population under 24 years, UNICEF and its partners in the field face a significant challenge to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.
School Clubs
School education programs are an effective way to convey HIV/AIDs prevention messages to students. With 4.3 million children attending some 10,000 schools, teachers and peers play a crucial role in awareness of HIV/Aids prevention.
School health clubs, run by the students themselves, have the most direct impact in changing young people's sexual behaviour. By mobilising and participating in HIV prevention and health promotion activities in 11 districts, including rallies, marches, street dramas and other innovative communication activities, students have succeeded in promoting healthy lifestyles.
Yet the challenge remains to maintain high levels of public participation and low prevalence rates. If this does not happen, efforts to drive HIV/AIDS out of Sri Lanka will certainly stall.
Australian working in the field:
Robert Bennoun, Regional Advisor HIV/AIDS for East Asia & Pacific