AIM OF THE PROJECT


Of the 31-43 million adults with HIV infection - the global estimate in end-2003 - more than 9.5 million are in Asia. Because of many Medical bodies, NGOs, social organizations and government’s efforts more and more people are becoming aware of this issue. But still our society is not in position to accept this virus as a fact. As HIV is very much related to sex, and sexuality people do not want to discuss on it in healthy manner. It is full of myths, misconception and secrecy. Social isolation is more fearful than actual death. Because of social pressure and misconceptions people don’t want to discuss on this infected people many times don’t want to disclose this even to their spouses . It is the unending cycle of secrecy and misconception. To break this, it is important to make people think and make them talk it out.

I decided middle class as my target audience. This class is aware of this issue but they don’t want to talk about it. Whenever any program comes on television they will change the channel. HIV is at their door and they are thinking it is not at all related to them. Anyway ,all ad campaigns on television, radio, news paper are talking about the causes, precautions and facts. There is no point in telling the same thing in the same manner. I want to present this in the form of stories so that people can watch it with little involvement and attention. I want to keep it subtle so they can watch it with their family members around. I am not providing any direct solution to any issue related to HIV. If it creates any ripples on their consciousness it is sufficient for me. These films may provide very good foundation for panal discussion.


As a student of design institute my first aim is to master the new skills and implement the learning I have gone through after entering IDC. I want to explore the technique of stop motion and use it effectively to communicate whatever I want to.

DATA COLLECTION :

Before I thought I knew a lot about the issue but when I started exploring I found plenty of new information. But when it comes as personal responsibility I feel I need some human touch rather than just dry paragraphs and paragraphs of information. Hence I decided to meet actual people working in this area.
I went to Sion Hospital, Hamasafar Trust and TISS. I talked with the counsellors there. I asked them questions to understand the awareness among people, their reactions to this issue, social acceptance of patients, medical treatments. I myself got my test done to experience the process. I talked with Mr. Kadam from NMP+, Pune who himself is a HIV positive. Apart from that I observed many patients in the Sion Hospital. I decided to not getting involved at the root level. In such issues it is very easy to just carried away by your emotions. Then you can not think in broader perspective.
After these meetings I finally started with writing the narration for my film.

According to UNAIDS estimates, by December-2003, nearly 34-46 million people including over 2.5 million children - had been infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic.
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS Total 40 million (34 – 46 million)
Adults 37 million (31 – 43 million)
Children under 15 years 2.5 million (2.1 – 2.9 million)
People newly infected with HIV in 2003 Total 5 million (4.2 – 5.8 million)
4.2 million (3.6 – 4.8 million)
Children under 15 years 700 000 (590 000 – 810 000)
AIDS deaths in 2003 Total 3 million (2.5 – 3.5 million)
Adults 2.5 million (2.1 – 2.9 million)
Children under 15 years 500 000 (420 000 – 580 000)

Science has provided us with answers to these myths. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact. A person cannot get HIV by sharing food with an infected person or hugging an infected person. An insect bite will not transmit HIV.
The highest increases in new HIV infections are in black men, women, heterosexuals, and teens. HIV is not limited to gays or drug users. It does not discriminate as to age, sex, race, or sexual orientation. Most of the new cases of HIV and AIDS are due to sexual contact between a man and woman. It is important to realize that people can be infected with HIV and not even know they are infected.
The spreading of HIV is completely preventable, if we all take personal responsibility.

DATA COLLECTION



When I started collecting data for this project I found on the internet pages and pages filled on the issue. And many of the resources (like NACO, MDAC) can be considered reliable. After going through that I got enough material to write any paper giving all kinds of information regarding HIV. Although this is not the place to discuss that information in detail I would like to mention few things here.
In the past, people have had good reason to be afraid of "catching" diseases. Although they had many explanations about why people became ill and died, they did not know what caused a disease, or how to avoid it. Now, we have the benefit of science to provide us with answers. We now know how to prevent HIV, human
immunodeficiency virus. However, myths and misconceptions continue to develop.


Some common MYTHS regarding HIV/AIDS
"A person can get HIV by:
• sharing food with an infected person
• hugging an infected person
• insect bites or
• only from gays or drug users
"Only promiscuous people get AIDS."
"AIDS only affects gay men."
"You can catch AIDS from being around someone who is infected."
"AIDS is only an Lower class problem."
"AIDS is a death sentence."
"You could tell if someone had HIV or AIDS."
"A person with HIV or AIDS did something to deserve it."
"I wouldn’t treat someone differently if they told me they had HIV or AIDS."
"AIDS is going away."

HIV is passed to others by:
•direct intimate contact with HIV-infected body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen
•having oral sex with an HIV-positive partner
•an HIV-infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breast feeding
•having sexual intercourse without a latex or plastic condom with an HIV-positive partner and
•HIV-contaminated needles from drug use, tattoos, or body piercing