IndiaENews.com – From correspondents in India
A huge majority of the transgender community in India is highly aware of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS and their prevention, says a survey by a Chennai-based NGO.
‘Most of our sample population displayed very high awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. As much as 99 percent said that HIV/AIDS testing must be made mandatory and 83 percent said they used condoms during sexual activity,’ said R. Isabel, executive director of the Madras Christian Council of Social Service (MCCSS) that conducted the survey among 200 members of the transgender community.
The MCCSS, which works on issues like human trafficking and prevention of HIV/AIDS, circulated a questionnaire about the views and aspirations of the members of the community – thousands of whom have gathered from across India near Villipuram town, 150 km from Chennai, for their annual Koovagam festival.
While the NGO distributed 500 questionnaires, 200 transgenders actually responded.