Report: TRUCKERS INTERVENTION

Audience enjoying the performances

Introduction

MDACS in collaboration with Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Truckers Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh (NGO) conducted an 8-day long HIV-AIDS awareness intervention for the target group of truckers in major trucker hot spots in Mumbai.

Objective 

Apart from disseminating basic information about HIV-AIDS, the core objective was to influence the target group to get tested on the event day itself and influence future testing behavior.

How It Happened

There was a mobile testing van camped in the event location each day and testing happened simultaneously throughout the day as events like street plays, dances, film screening were conducted.

Street Play

Street Play

The play was performed by a troupe of 7-8 actors at the intersection of roads to ensure that there was maximum exposure. People walking around from different directions were all attracted to the play and stopped to watch. There were a number of trucks parked around the areas and the message was imparted to the target audience.

A large crowd could gather around and watch the play comfortably. This made sure that the target audience was able to receive the message meant for them. The audience were all men, both young and old.

The troupe members made use of costumes, like white kurtas, scarves, turbans; a factor which helped to attract people’s attention.

The actual performance was preceded by a song routine, meant for attracting audiences. There was an active effort to mobilize people and get them closer to the actors.

The MDACS banner was tied to a truck in such a fashion that it attracted everyone’s eyes. Many people from the audience had a good look at it and some of them even read the message on it.

The actors introduced themselves and also announced that they were there on behalf of MDACS and the local NGO, and urged the audience to pay attention, and also informed them that it was in their best interest.

An NGO personnel was on site, distributing pamphlets and the helpline number card to people who were a part of the audience, and also to passers’ by in general.

The actors delivered key messages of HIV transmission, common myths surrounding HIV, ICTC testing centres where one could get tested free of cost; and also mentioning that there was a testing van in the vicinity where they could avail the facility then and there, and get their reports within an hour’s time.

They also spoke of the Saadhan Helpline number that was printed on the cards which were distributed.

The play was performed in Hindi, with the broad demographic characteristics of the truckers in mind while the actors announced the helpline number loudly in three languages, i.e. Hindi, Marathi and English.

Post Street Play

Informal Interviews were conducted randomly with members from the audience who were all truckers from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, South India and interior Maharashtra.

They agreed that there was a pressing need to reach out to the people, and acknowledged that the local NGO and authorities like MDACS were doing a good job in this field.

Most respondents recalled all 4 modes of transmission correctly. The majority even felt that the truckers in the area had enough information on the basic facts about HIV.

All respondents felt that HIV is a deadly disease and there is no cure for it. Only a few were able to differentiate between HIV and AIDS.

Testing for HIV/AIDS

One out 10 truckers had tested for HIV and felt the need to do so regularly. The remaining respondents reported that while there was no objection as such to get tested, there was not any need felt either. They felt it was enough as long as they are aware of their safety and have not engaged in sexual activity.

Cultural Programme

This included dance programmes like item numbers by a Transgender and mono acts. Zoya was the one who performed the item numbers much to the audience’s glee. Zoya is a prominent activist and performer from the local transgender community. These dancers ensured that more number of people joined the audience.

After the performance, Zoya spoke about stigma and discrimination faced by PHLAs and even people like herself. The talk helped to sensitize the audience.

The series of mono acts, performed by the MDACS personnel themselves, revolving around the trials, aspirations and dilemmas of the central character, a trucker. The demography was understood properly and the entire act was executed well. Not only did this skit add some comic relief, but it also touched various aspects of a trucker’s social circle.

One of the acts involved the secondary character showing the trucker how to use a condom. This practical demo thus served two objectives: one, it helped in reducing the taboo revolving around the word ‘condom’; and two, because of the ‘shock value’ the demo was observed more closely and attentively.

Film Screening

Film Screening

The film which was screened was in sync with the ideas expressed in the earlier acts i.e. unsafe sexual behaviour by migrants and did not stigmatize this need. It did not give it a negative connotation, but reinforced the idea of safe sex and condom usage and the de-tabooing of it.

After the film, there was a Question & Answer session wherein the audience were asked a few questions from the context of the film itself. Of the five odd questions asked, about four were answered correctly and the respondents were given away small prizes.

IMPACT

• This model of Migrant Intervention was found to be effective with the target audience. The street plays helped to build up the tempo and the entertainment section with dance, skits and film screening took the event to a higher level.

• From the audience’s reactions, it was obvious that most correctly recalled basic information likes modes of transmission, misconceptions and need for testing. Some were aware of ICTC, while almost everyone was aware of testing in mobile vans.

The locations:

1. Cotton Green
2. Sewree
3. Mahur
4. Delhi Street
5. Thane Street
6. Pune Street
7. Bhau cha Dhakka