| The Institute for Community
Research (ICR) is sponsoring a day-long seminar on drug use,
migration and HIV/AIDS risk in Southeast Asia on Wednesday,
December 4, 2002, 10:30am-3:00pm. The discussion will take place
at the Institute's offices, located on the corner of Wyllis
and Charter Oak Avenues. As part of a grant from the World AIDS
Foundation, researchers from the International Institute of
Population Studies (IIPS) are visiting the United States and
ICR as part of an international exchange on HIV/AIDS risk and
prevention.
India has the second-highest net incidence of HIV infection
in the world, with 4 million individuals reported as HIV+.
However, little research has been done on the intersection
of alcohol, non-injection drug use and sexual risk among Indian
populations, particularly in urban areas where rural migration
has increased dramatically over the past decade. ICR has over
15 years of experience researching the interaction of drug
and sexual risk, and has developed effective intervention
models for residents in Hartford and other urban areas in
the U.S. Bringing these models to the global community - and
in this case, the Indian context - is the purpose of the year-long
project. "AIDS is a global problem that requires local
solutions," states Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D., ICR's Executive
Director. "Working with our partners at IIPS to bring
our experience in Hartford to the Mumbai community, and thus
expanding knowledge on both sides of the globe is crucial
to addressing this epidemic."
"Training and Pilot Research Related to the Prevention
of HIV Infection in Migrant Youth in Mumbai," is designed
to increase the capacity of IIPS to conduct qualitative research
integrating drug use and HIV risk. In January, ICR staff will
travel to India to conduct a series of training workshops
for IIPS staff. "The training will bring ICR's experience
in participatory action research to IIPS staff, while at the
same time providing us with the opportunity to exchange research
skills and learn about working in a global context" says
Marlene Berg, ICR's Associate Director of Training. "We
are very excited about this partnership."
The December 4th seminar will include presentations by staff
from ICR, IIPS and the Center for International Community
Health Studies at the University of Connecticut, on topics
such as "HIV Risk Among Male Migrants" and "Male
Sexuality and STD Prevention in Mumbai, India." For more
information about the seminar or ICR projects, contact Jill
Chopyak, Assistant Director, Public Programming & Development
at 860-278-2044 ext. 290.
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