Health hazards and Awareness

The issues like health, wellness, and good diet are gaining lots of importance and prioritize in our need of happy life. One such topic not much spoken of in public is sexual health but it stands equal importance and many of us realize it. There is lot of shyness, stigma and hush- hush attached to it. People try to keep their sexual problems a hidden secret no matter how much they must be suffering because of it.

For last two years I worked with a NGO on a program whose main focus was spreading awareness among people on usage of condoms and its triple protection benefits i.e. as a contraceptive, prevention from HIV/AIDS and STD/STI. And to my surprise I found how people even youngsters are so unwilling to talk about it. There is a lot of stigma attached to it. We all need it; we all use it but are not prepared to talk about it because of the mental block. We are not ready to educate ourselves and others about it. One more surprising fact came before me during this field work that there are many people who are unable to use condom properly like they are reusing it, they use oil with it, they couldn’t wear it properly and it gets pricked or torn  but still they used it. Through mass media campaigns our educators used to provide demo with condom learning models on its correct usage.

In the program we used to organize camps, Folk shows- Magic Show, Street Plays, condom Rallies at prime locations like India Gate, universities, railway stations, bus stands, market places etc., Our project even focused on making condoms available at all possible outlets, shops etc.

Condoms can now be purchased online, different varieties and brands are available just on click of a mouse.

India still shows a rising trend in HIV infection and along with it the biggest drawback is people get to know about the infection when it has reached the advanced stages, though lots of efforts are going on but still sometimes for patient it gets difficult to bear high cost of treatment. The best possible treatment of this menace is prevention.  With so much health hazards in the present environment - ‘be alert and cautious’ is the mantra.

  (Pic courtesy -  Here)

People sometimes laugh, mock and pass unhealthy comments but we know awareness and understanding is the best way to help nation prevent all sorts of health menace. We need to broaden our horizons and think with a better understanding otherwise hazards like HIV/AIDS will completely engulf our planet. “Together we can and together we will”- fight against all evil entering our lives.