Breaking barriers

Poor sanitation combined with a lack of access to clean water can makes the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS even more difficult.

Credit: WaterAid/Layton Thompson

24 February 2010

"Only after I lost my husband and two boys to HIV/AIDS did I go to the hospital and came to know that I am HIV positive. Immediately I was thrown out by my parents and in-laws and faced considerable discrimination in the village."

These words, although shocking, are sadly not uncommon in India where people living with HIV/AIDS are discriminated against both economically and socially. This psychological stress not only adds to the physical stress brought on by their illness but can also worsen people's health as they are prevented from using the essential water and sanitation facilities they need. 

Water, sanitation and hygiene are all crucial for those living with HIV/AIDS: frequent bouts of diarrhoea increase the need for toilets and the risk of opportunist infections highlight the importance of good hygiene and a safe supply of water.

Yet across India these essential needs are severely lacking with just 15% of the rural population having access to a toilet and over 120 million people living without safe water.

Where people living with HIV/AIDS have to walk a long way to collect water, studies have shown they will simply use less than they should, and without latrines close to home they will resort to open defecation. Patients which do receive costly anti-retro viral treatments have to take them with water that could give them a life-threatening illness.

Even in communities that have water and sanitation facilities the lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and fear of the illness means people are prevented from using them.
The stigma forces some, like the lady quoted above, to leave their homes and family: "Disgusted I left the village and started working here," she says.

Recognising that much needs to be done we are now undertaking a key project across the state of Uttar Pradesh. In the first six months we have helped develop appropriate water and sanitation facilities, particularly in drop-in centres where patients regularly visit and have also worked with the state's AIDS society and other networks to improve knowledge and information about the links between HIV/AIDS and water and sanitation.

We have also supported volunteers, caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS with a range of information and advice. The lady quoted above is now one of a group of outreach workers helping others to manage their illness and she explains how the work has benefited her:

"Recently I got this hygiene kit and came to know about key hygiene behaviours. I am aware of diarrhoea management and have found the hygiene kit very useful."

While much still needs to be done to improve not only water, sanitation and hygiene facilities but also knowledge and awareness, this programme will extend in to the future, helping more and more people living with HIV/AIDS break the barriers of discrimination.

For media enquiries, please contact Ann Noon annnoon@wateraid.org, 0044 (0)207 7793 4537