Document 2222
 DOCN  M94A2222
 TI    Follow-up on barbers as HIV educators for men.
 DT    9412
 AU    John JK; Clement S; Dept. of Psychiatry, C.M.C., Vellore, India.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):353 (abstract no. PD0017). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370353
 AB    Rapid and effective public awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and
       its prevention raises significant challenges, particularly in developing
       countries, where poor literacy and limited access to mass media makes it
       difficult. Exploring other socially acceptable and effective means, a
       group of barbers were trained in the basic issues relating to HIV
       infection, AIDS and its prevention. All men in India go to the barber
       either for a haircut or shave and are briefly 'captive' for education.
       Barbers in Vellore town were trained over a two day workshop in batches
       of 20. They were then given certificates of training to display in their
       shop and other material to stimulate discussion and teach as well as
       condoms if they were willing to sell them. Initial follow-up showed that
       the barbers were very keen to be involved with this role as health
       educator but they did not want to be identified as condom salesmen.
       Follow-up a year later shows that a majority of them are still
       participating in HIV preventive education. A few of these men had become
       very involved in this role and were being recognized by the community as
       AIDS experts. Some of the barbers were selling condoms to their clients
       and only a small minority were uninvolved. While they are effective
       health educators, their potential as counsellors have to be explored.
 DE    *Barbering  *Health Education  Human  HIV Infections/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL  India  Male  MEETING ABSTRACT

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