The Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) will now help vulnerable people who are looking for a physical relationship on dating apps and social networking websites by setting up an online intervention initiative for HIV awareness. With the help of an NGO, MDACS has appointed HIV caregivers, as per the report by Free Press Journal.
These caregivers have their accounts on seven dating apps where they approach people online to create awareness among the vulnerable and motivate them to get HIV and STD screenings. If an individual agrees, then they are directed to visit the nearest BMC or government-run health centre, with a zero-wait policy.
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A study was conducted by the MDACS to identify the likes, habits and dating apps used online by gay and transgender people. The study included 8,582 gay and 4,163 transgender people and according to the study, 48 per cent of those identifying as gay were using the Grindr app for dating, followed by Facebook (42 per cent) and blued app (36 per cent).
Virtual ICTC centres will be based on the findings of the inhibitions shared by people on these platforms. NGOs have worked on making ready the virtual outreach model. Under this, through social media and dating apps, trained counsellors interacted with vulnerable populations like the LGBTQ community.
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