Country watch: India.

This article describes the role played by barbers trained by the Christian Medical College in Vallore India in discussing AIDS among their clients. Barbers were trained in a number of sessions about AIDS transmission prevention care and risk factors such as genital lesions. Barbers were pleased with their new roles as health educators but barbers did not want the reputation of being condom salesmen. Condoms were made available for sale through barber shops with the intention of giving the barbers the small profit as an incentive to continue the health role. Barbers were taught the importance of medical intervention and some referred clients to the College for more information or testing. Follow-up visits were made by the College at least once every three months in order to exchange information on the difficulties encountered and to give additional booklets and stickers. Barbers advised clients to purchase condoms from local small "cigarette and beedi" shops. A formal evaluation of client satisfaction was not conducted however some feedback indicated clients were interested in the conversations. One warden of a local boys hostel even invited a barber to give a talk on AIDS to his wards.