Water and sanitation: it’s role in enhancing the quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS

Mukesh K Chawla, ORG Centre for Social Research
Seema Zutshi Kaul, ORG Centre for Social Research
Ranjana Saradhi, ORG Centre for Social Research

Most of the opportunistic infections like diarrhoea, skin diseases, malaria etc are closely associated with unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene practices. With low immunity levels people living with HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to such infections. This paper therefore establishes the need to provide safe water and sanitation facilities and behaviour change communication (BCC). Review of previous attempts has indicated that such safe practices has helped the people living with HIV/AIDS to remain in good health for longer and increase their dignity, it gives the caregivers who are mostly the women more time to manage the disease or take up an occupation outside the home, can reduce the incidence of diarrhea amongst HIV positive persons etc. In India, though some attempts have been made by the local, national and international organizations on communicating the importance of safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices,, there is a further need to develop comprehensive, uniform, technically correct BCC package, focusing on women that can be adapted at the local level. The same can be designed in consultation with technical experts, the policy makers and programmes. This would further gain impetus with a mandate set at the policy level.