People living with HIV and AIDS recognise the need for safe water, appropriate sanitation, and hygiene practices. However, barriers in putting their knowledge into practice include lack of time, money, household toilets, and fuel, as well as water scarcity.

Messages about safe water and hygiene are not always consistent and comprehensive. There is potential for NGOs, networks of people living with HIV and others to build better communication about water, sanitation, and hygiene into interventions with people living with HIV and AIDS.

This is the conclusion of a field note [1] from the Water and Sanitation Program-South Asia, after it commissioned a study among people living with HIV and AIDS in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The field note also draws on other research, including an IRC TOP on HIV/AIDS and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. [2]

The study was followed by national and state levels consultations in India on the need to mainstream water, sanitation, and hygiene safety messages in care and support programmes.

[1] Jani, R.B. (2007). Water, sanitation, and hygiene for people living with HIV and AIDS : a situation analysis. (Field note / WSP). New Delhi, India, Water and Sanitation Program-South Asia. 11 p. : 1 box, 1 fig., 1 tab., ill. Includes references. PDF file

[2] Kamminga, E. and Wegelin-Schuringa, M. (2006). HIV/AIDS and water, sanitation and hygiene. IRC Thematic Overview Paper (TOP). 66p. Includes references. Download TOP.

Tags: hygiene promotion, water-related diseases