Project Saksham: STI & HIV Awareness Initiative for Marginalized Communities
Introduction
Project Saksham is a targeted public health initiative focused on increasing awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among sex workers. Conducted in Burdwan, the program aimed to promote preventive practices, improve knowledge, and encourage timely healthcare utilization in a high-risk and underserved population.
Background & Rationale
Sex workers represent a high-risk group for STIs and HIV due to multiple structural and social barriers, including stigma, lack of access to accurate information, and unsafe practices.
Fear of discrimination and marginalization often delays healthcare-seeking behavior, leading to increased disease burden. Project Saksham was designed to address these gaps through community engagement and culturally sensitive education.
The initiative was conducted in collaboration with National AIDS Control Organization, along with the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Community Medicine at Burdwan Medical College.
Objectives
- To improve awareness about STIs and HIV/AIDS
- To promote consistent and correct condom use
- To dispel myths and reduce stigma related to sexual health
- To strengthen trust between healthcare providers and marginalized populations
- To encourage early and proactive healthcare-seeking behavior
Methodology
A community-based, low-resource, high-engagement approach was adopted:
- Collaboration with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and outreach workers
- Story-based discussions and role-play in local languages
- Use of illustrated educational materials for better comprehension
- Visual aids such as posters and flipcharts
- Peer-led sessions incorporating real-life experiences
Key Activities
- Interactive awareness sessions on STI and HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment
- Demonstrations on correct and consistent condom usage
- Open discussions addressing myths, stigma, and misconceptions
- Distribution of easy-to-understand educational materials
Outcomes & Impact
The program demonstrated meaningful improvements in awareness and behavioral intent:
- Increased knowledge of STI and HIV prevention
- Greater willingness to adopt safe sexual practices
- Reduction in stigma through peer-supported dialogue
- Strengthened trust between healthcare providers and participants
- Increased inclination toward seeking timely medical care
Challenges & Mitigation
Key challenges included:
- Initial resistance due to stigma
- Limited outreach resources
- Communication barriers across subgroups
These were addressed through localized communication strategies, trust-building, and peer engagement models.
Conclusion
Project Saksham highlights the effectiveness of targeted, community-driven interventions in improving sexual health awareness among marginalized populations. The initiative underscores that even low-resource programs can drive meaningful behavioral change when delivered with cultural sensitivity and community involvement.
Project Team
Team Leader: Ananya Bhattacharya
Team Members:
Prahlad Adhikari, Bivangshu Roy, Srinjay Ghosh, Arya Das, Soumya Kanta Kar, Biswarup Saha, Aadi Singh, Anurupa Sarkar, Puja Panda, Vanya Prasad, Sagnik Thakur, Srijani Banerjee
Faculty Coordinator: Prof. (Dr.) Arunima Chaudhuri
Student Coordinator: Sania Fatima Khan
