Associated Press Examines Indian HIV Prevention Program That Trains Barbers To Promote Prevention Among Clients

The AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer on Dec. 27, 2005, examined a "unique" HIV/AIDS prevention initiative that has trained more than 10,000 barbers in India to promote condom use, recognize the symptoms of HIV/AIDS and discuss the disease with customers. Because sex is a taboo topic in India, the country's "chatty, itinerant barbers" are being used as "a valuable means of spreading the AIDS message," according to the AP/Post-Intelligencer. In addition, barbers who suspect a client is at risk can refer the client to an HIV/AIDS clinic, according to Manisha Pal, one of the program's coordinators. The program was developed by the Switzerland-based aid organization Association Francois-Xavier Bagnoud and works with India's National AIDS Control Organization, which provides the condoms and educational materials at no cost (George, AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 12/27/05).