AIDS 85 percent of Jharkhand women don't know

[Guest guest]

AIDS 85 percent of Jharkhand women don't know

Ranchi, Dec 1, 2004

Despite AIDS spreading its tentacles fast in Jharkhand, only 15

percent of women in the state know about the disease - way below

the national average of 40 percent.

A report released by the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society

(JSACS) says 85 percent women are not aware of AIDS. Women

constitute 13 million of the state's 27 million population.

In urban areas, 49 percent of the people are aware of the disease

whereas in rural areas the figure is an appalling 8.42 percent,

the report says.

Half of those who know about the disease don't know what measures

should be taken for safety.

The worst affected are tribals who often have multiple partners.

AIDS awareness among tribals, who constitutes 27 percent of the

state's population, is only 4.2 percent.

Television has emerged as the number one medium for creating AIDS

awareness. Radio and newspapers follow a close second and third.

At present Jharkhand has 200 cases of HIV/AIDS, of which 40 are

full blown cases.

Recently the state government conducted a random survey among 800

people, and 95 people were found HIV positive. Of those found

infected, 35 were from the below the poverty line (BPL)

category.

Two blocks in the state have been identified as the most affected

areas - Bharagoda of Ranchi and Vishnugarh of Hazaribagh.

" We are trying to sensitise people through government agencies and

install AIDS detection machines in hospitals so that HIV positive

people can be identified and treated and prevented from spreading

the disease, " Dinesh Sanrangi, the Jharkhand health minister, told

IANS.

JSACS has got Rs.1 million funding from the National AIDS Control

Organisation (NACO) to set up a rehabilitation centre for HIV/AIDS

patients in the state.

In last three years, 11 AIDS deaths have been reported in the

state.

As World AIDS Day was observed Wednesday, India with 5.1 million

HIV/AIDS cases was fast expected to overtake South Africa as the

country with the highest incidence of the disease.

[iANS]

sorce:http://www.asianetindia.com/nationalnews.asp?folder=Headlines & file=1_8803.\

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