Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Social and behavioural research: Tool for intensifying fight against AIDS in India (PDF) 
Mawar,Nita; Paranjape,Ramesh S.; Khan,M.E.
Eastern Journal of Medicine 16(2): 94-98
Publication date: 2011


The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by world leaders in the year 2000 are aimed by 2015. The MDG-6 to combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases becomes very pertinent for HIV/AIDS research as it creates an evidence base that contributes to policy planning, implementation and advocacy for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. The MDGs are addressed both globally and are locally tailored by each country to suit their specific development needs (1). The HIV/ AIDS epidemic even in early eighties was beginning to be considered as much a social problem as a medical problem, thereby social aspects becoming an integral part of the biomedical research. However, Mann in 1987 identified three phases of the epidemic, that of AIDS, the second of HIV infection and the third phase related to social and behavioural impact it had on individuals, community and society at large; with the three running almost together, although identified in succession in the initial stage of the epidemic (2). More studies have focussed on the epidemic of HIV and of AIDS in the first two decades and only in the late nineties few studies on the third epidemic have been taken up e.g. the studies on sexuality, economic impact and stigma. Thereby, a need to focus on the social and behavioural aspects of HIV/AIDS research becomes critical, much more so in traditional communities and in communities that have limited access to resources. However it is important to emphasize that in both sexual and vertical transmission, the major focus for prevention interventions are related to very basic human instincts that are socially governed. Evidence based research through HIV studied group can help in sustainable prevention interventions to contribute to holistic development.