Govt figures ignore local HIV numbers

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Govt figures ignore local HIV numbers

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/comp/articleshow?artid=294861

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NEW DELHI: Serious localised HIV epidemics in different parts of the country

are affecting millions of people and this is not reflected in the official

prevalence rate of less than one per cent.

A new UN report says HIV prevalence among pregnant women has already been

found to be higher than one per cent in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,

Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland and Tamil Nadu.

A prevalence of over one per cent is a cause for concern as HIV has been

known to increase rapidly in the general population, once it reaches this

rate.

The comprehensive global AIDS epidemic update, released by UNAIDS and the

World Health Organisation (WHO), says chances of dealing with the problem

are running out.

The comprehensive global AIDS epidemic undate, released by the UNAIDS and

the World Health Organisation (WHO), says the ``window of opportunity for

bringing the HIV/AIDS epidemic under control is narrowing rapidly in Asia,

where, despite well-documented and successful HIV-prevention programmes, the

epidemic continues to spread.''

While national HIV prevalence levels may be low in most Asian countries,

except Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand, this by itself is no cause for

comfort, it says. India, with its estimated 3.97 million people living with

HIV, has the second-highest number of infected people after South Africa.

What could hamper prevention efforts is the fact that knowledge of the virus

continues to remain poor in rural areas and among women, who constitute some

of the more vulnerable groups.

``Countrywide, awarenss of HIV/AIDS is high, with roughly three-quarters of

adult Indian aware that correct and consistent condom use can prevent sexual

transmission of HIV. But in general, awareness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS

remain weak in rural areas and among women.

The report shows a rapidly expanding epidemic in new areas. The world's

fastest growing epidemic is now in Eastern Europe and the Central Asian

republics. In some countries, such as Uzbekistan, the epidemic's growth is

extremely rapid. For instance, in Uzbekistan, there were almost as many new

infections reported in the first few months of 2002 as in the entire

previous decade.

In Africa, by far the worst hit region, the deadly epidemic is fuelling

other crises, most notably the famine in southern Africa. More than 14

million people are now at risk of starvation in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,

Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The report details how the impact of AIDS in

farm communities has greatly decreased their capacity to survive the famine.

Globally, 42 million people are living with HIV; five million were

newly-infected in 2002 and 3.1 million were killed by AIDS this year. In

Asia, 7.2 million people are living with HIV.

TOI Comment: It is high time we brought the issue into the open. The

treatment of sex workers, sex education in schools and other awareness

issues need to be addressed urgently.

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