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Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Ethnic Groups Research Database |
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Record |
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Subject |
Lahu,Lisu,AIDS,narcotic problems,prostitution,Mae Hong Son |
Author |
Saraphee Sila |
Title |
An investigation into AIDS prevalence problems in hilltribe villages in Nam Lang area,Pang Ma Pha District,Mae Hong Son Province |
Document Type |
Research Paper |
Original Language of Text |
Thai |
Ethnic Identity |
Lisu, Lahu,
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Language and Linguistic Affiliations |
Sino-Tibetan |
Location of
Documents |
Sirindhorn Anthropology Center Library |
Total Pages |
47 |
Year |
1998 |
Source |
The Hilltribe Research Institute,published by Nanthakarn Graphic Press |
Abstract |
The research investigates and analyzes HIV and AIDS problems in four hilltribe villages in Pang Ma Pha District in Nan Lang area under the Project for the Promotion of Hilltribe’s Participation in AIDS Prevention. The population was 1,230 hilltribe people in 243 households from three Red Lahu villages and one Lisu village. Volunteers from the four villages participated in the training, surveying, processing and verifying of data, and looking for solutions with the communities. The findings reveal that the problems related to AIDS prevalence in the four villages are as follows: 1. Although the survey did not find any AIDS patients in the villages, random blood examinations of 20 cases of the risk group revealed that 19 of them were HIV positive. 2. Drug problems are extremely worrying. It is found that 14.07% of the population of working age was drug addicts and 51.54% were addicted to heroin. Most of them were elderly. Their drug intake was by both smoking and injection. The drug was easily available in the area because it was promoted by external influential figures. 3. Prostitution was found within and outside the communities both explicitly and implicitly. Local culture and other factors made young women prone to prostitution. Customers were males in and outside the communities as well as foreigners. These women used pills and injections for birth control without protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases. This behavior was likely to increase the prevalence of AIDS. 4. Labor migration from the four villages was phenomenal. Young men and women of working age, often with little or no education, migrated to work in big cities like Chiang Mai as unskilled laborers. The need for labor migration stemmed from the change in the production system and consumerism. The lifestyles of these migrant workers in cities made their communities vulnerable to the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. 5. In regard to AIDS awareness, it is found that the villagers were aware of the disease to different degrees despite public relations campaigns on the issue. Their limitations with the Thai language and the discontinuation of public relations campaigns affected the awareness of the villagers. It is further found that those with a higher level of awareness had sexual behavior more susceptible to HIV than those with a lower level. This is because the communities had still not been aware that AIDS was a serious problem. To solve these problems, the communities provided the following recommendations. 1. To solve the drug problem, it is necessary to use state power to deal with drug dealers because community organizations cannot withstand the influence of drug dealers’ networks. 2. Drug rehabilitation programs have been successive failures because addicts have returned to the old habits. The communities suggest that self-rehabilitation be carried out on a personal basis and the entire communities would try to prevent more addiction. 3. Some villages have concretely established regulations to deal with drug problems, but they have not been implemented due to the fear of external influence. It is recommended that concerned state agencies work in conjunction with the communities to solve the problems. 4. Prostitution could be reduced provided that there were no new groups because existing prostitutes would retire. To prevent prostitution, activities should be conducted to enable young women to stay away from risk groups. Public relations campaigns on AIDS awareness and prevention should be launched for prostitutes and they should be carried out on an on-going basis. Career-related activities should be conducted for young women and men to prevent labor migration. 5. Career training for women should be conducted in and outside the communities in order to expose these women to external society. 6. Children are exposed to drug and prostitution problems in the communities, which might affect their mentality. It is suggested that they be sent to boarding schools for hilltribe children to steer them away from their uncaring environment. The attempt is time-consuming but necessary until the problems are overcome. 7. Public relations campaigns on AIDS have raised awareness in residents of some villages but have not in others due to the limited competency of their Thai language skills. It is recommended that the campaigns be on-going, and follow-up activities be conducted by creating a network of community volunteers who are proficient in Thai language.
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