Re: PROCAARE: RFI--Ramadan and fasting

[procaare@usa.healthnet.org]

STRATEGIES TO PREVENT HIV SHOULD INCLUDE DRY DAYS & ROJAS:
In an ongoing survey in the red light areas of Central Mumbai; where Indian
Health Organisation is carrying out the HIV/AIDS intervention through its
coveted SAHELI PROJECT, it has been brought to the IHO notice that during
Ramzan month the clientele of sex workers are reduced by 35%. This means a
sex worker's average clientele has gone down from 3 to 2 per day. This is
not due to the fear of HIV/AIDS, but due to 'Roja'. Sex Workers are
literally starving due to low business. As it is, due to overall AIDS
awareness, their clientele has come down from 5 to 3 per day since 1991,
despite the fact that even their total number has come down from an
estimated 100,000 in 1991 to 70,000 now. The scene will change from Monday
the Feb.10th; when there will be overwhelming rush in the red light areas.
Ramzan definitely contributes to the best HIV/AIDS control, as in Muslim
community those who keep Roja (over 75% of them keep), do not indulge in 
consuming alcohol and visit Sex Workers among other restraints, as a
religious dictum. Among Hindus, those keeping fasts of Sravan Month and
Friday, Tuesdays and Chaturthi do not consume alcohol and do not visit Sex
Workers on fasting days. Hence Sex Workers have difficult period in Srawan
month. If the people follow such dictum year around, there will be no place
for Sexually transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS, as 'restraints' have been
advised by all the religions.

The other factor; which directly promotes the HIV spread is ALCOHOL. During
the dry period of 15 days in Mumbai for parliamentary elections, the
clientele of Sex Workers was drastically reduced to 50%. More than 80% of
the clients visiting Sex Workers visit after consuming alcohol. However, in
the absence of alcohol, only 30% of them still visit Sex Workers.

The positive lesson to be derived, without any prejudice against any
religion, is that to control HIV/AIDS Rojas and Dry days can play a major
role.

Dr.I.S.Gilada
Secretary General,
Indian Health Organisation           Fax: +91-22-3864433
Bombay-400008/India                  e-mail: <ihoaids@bom3.vsnl.net.in>


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