AIDS awareness still lacking among masses

KATHMANDU, Dec 1 - AIDS day was observed widely in the capital today, with banners carrying the message ‘Live and let live’ being seen on buses and a few other vehicles.

Different rallies were taken out by school children, people living with HIV/AIDs, social groups, government officials and non-government agencies. In the open theatre at the centre of the capital, a massive programme was organised.

Certainly, the message of AIDS went out to a large audience. However, did the message reach them all? Interestingly, at the corner of the open theatre a small group of men and women, mostly labourers gathered around a musical programme.

The latest Hindi hits blasted from inside the tent. Performers and dancers entertained the small crowd. This scribe went and talked to a few of the bystanders.

Most of them were aware about the big programme going on a few metres away, but were more interested in the musical programme at that small tent. Ironically, the men said they heard about AIDS but were not exactly sure how it spreads.

"I heard it spreads through unsafe sex," said 29-year old Rupak Bahadur Magar of Binayak Marg in Anamnagar, who said he had never used a condom during sex.

People do talk about using condoms for safer sex but I feel odd to use one," he said. Similarly, 31-year-old Hira Pariyar, a common labourer from Narayangadh working in Ason was unsure about AIDS.

"I know it’s a dangerous disease but I am not sure how it can be prevented," said Pariyar. "It must be something big because a lot of people have gathered here today." However, he did not show much interest in the AIDS programme being more interested in the dance show.

"I don’t know about AIDS or condoms. Don’t bother me," said a disgruntled Tek Raj Dhital, adding that he never used condoms, as he was sure he would not get the disease.

With recent UNAIDS/WHO statistics estimating that already 61,000 Nepalese are infected with HIV/AIDS such ignorance and lack of awareness among the public is of serious concern. Many experts say that if the public is not addressed through information campaigns and massive distribution of condoms, the HIV/AIDS epidemic could well be the leading killer by 2010.