Powerful Database Disseminates Evidence-Based Resources to Programs
The INFO Project's One Source Database Brings the Latest Information and Guidance on HIV to Rural Indian Villagers
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Challenge:
According to The United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS, as of 2006 approximately 2.5 million Indians were living with HIV. In India, HIV does not just affect high risk populations such as injection drug users; the largest percentage of new cases results from unprotected heterosexual sex. Individuals who have contracted HIV may be rejected by their family and friends and be treated inhumanely by others simply because they are HIV positive. Several NGOs and community organizations throughout India are trying to combat the problem of HIV/AIDS related stigma. Educators working to mitigate the stigma, and improve the health of those affected, are in need of evidence-based resources on how HIV/AIDS is spread and treated as well as information about family planning choices for women with HIV.
Initiative:
The INFO Project's One Source database, launched in 2006, provides one-stop access to over 400,000 resources and six separate databases with a single mouse click or search term. It is free to developing country users, who use the interface to access reports, articles, documents, posters and pamphlets, photos, Web sites, Q & As and news articles through a single interface. An enhanced search and browse capability makes finding global family planning, reproductive health, and population information faster and easier than ever. According to a recently conducted survey, about one in five One Source users live in India.
One of them is Mr. Badal Maharana, a social worker belonging from Kolkata and working at remote village of the with West Bengal, India-based NGO name is Gandhi Mission Trust under Snehalaya Community Care Centre as a Project Coordinator.
"For ten years I’ve been going to the rural areas and staying there with the people, and working with them in issues of health and other livelihood and income generating programs," said Mr. Maharana, who lives in Kolkata but presently staying at village. He working at Gandhi Mission Trust under Snehalaya Community Care Centre Programme, and working target in 500 villages in West Bengal to provide counseling, treatment, nutritional and financial support to women and children living with HIV/AIDS.
"I use One Source in my work with tribal people and locals, especially women, children and youth groups," said Mr. Maharana, who leads discussion groups in the community with women, men and youth to educate them about family planning, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. As he is an educator, he needs the most up-to-date and evidence-based information and research pertaining to family planning and reproductive health.
"I use One Source to create an awareness of child and maternal health in the village level,” Maharana mentioned.
Mr. Maharana has used One Source to access research regarding anti-retroviral drug adherence, new and updated contraceptive methods and methods of contraception which can be utilized by HIV positive individuals. At the center, Mr. Maharana uses information obtained from many of the documents to educate patients about the importance of adhering to HIV medications and to counsel women who are HIV positive on positive prevention. “There are so many orphaned children are there,” explained Maharana.
In addition to HIV-related materials, One Source has also directed Mr. Maraharana to statistical reports and family planning job aids including leaflets and flip charts, which have helped him stay up-to-date on current information to assist him in his work. "I have links with 50 NGOs and other volunteer organizations," said Maharana. He has shared the documents and information found from One Source searches with his colleagues, friends, clubs and community based organizations in his area.
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