Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: July | Volume: 10 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 311-315
Developing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Strategies for Tobacco Cessation and HIV Prevention in Urban Slums of Jodhpur City
Vibha Joshi1, Nitin Kumar Joshi2, Komal Bajaj3, Praveen Suthar4, Anil Purohit5
1PhD Scholar, Department of Public Health (JSPH), Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur.
2Demonstrator, School of Public Health, AIIMS, Jodhpur.
3Research Assistant, Sainath Hospital and research center, Jodhpur.
4Research Associate, School of Public Health, AIIMS, Jodhpur
5Founder and President, Jodhpur School of Public Health (JSPH), Jodhpur.
Corresponding Author: Nitin Kumar Joshi
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The coexistence of tobacco use with low level of awareness regarding HIV/AIDS doubles the disease burden among the slum population. There is need to focus on HIV and tobacco related health education strategies in urban slum population.
Methods: The study was conducted for period of 6 months during (2018-2019) among slum population of Jodhpur city. Data was collected using sampling strategy from 1200 subjects on patterns of tobacco use, the risks involved in utilizing tobacco, knowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Further, based on needs, IEC strategy for HIV prevention and tobacco control in slum population was developed and implemented.
Results: A total of 1200 subjects were surveyed, out of which 583 were males and 617 were females (age 15-90 years). Around 65.7 % (n=789) of study population consuming tobacco in one or more forms. Gutka (n=354), Bidi (n= 81) and cigarette (n=93) usage were higher in males than females. About 58% (n=697) has heard about HIV/AIDS and only 17.5% (n=211) have knowledge that the HIV and AIDS are different. Based on health education needs IEC was developed. Folk media like nukkad-natak were used to increase awareness regarding misconception. Special focus group discussions were held for males and females. Printed materials like posters along with pamphlets were distributed and Individual counseling sessions were also conducted.
Conclusion: This study provided an IEC framework for sensitizing urban slum population for tobacco cessation and HIV/AIDS prevention considering their health education needs. This IEC strategy further can be scaled up to other slums of Rajasthan state.
Key words: Information, Education and communication (IEC) strategies, tobacco cessation, HIV prevention, Jodhpur urban slums.