Invitation to attend release of report: HIV from Blood Exposures in India -

[Guest guest]

To members of the Forum,

Hans Einar Hem, the Regional Representative of Norwegian Church Aid,

cordially invites you to attend a small meeting and reception to mark

the release of the report " HIV from Blood Exposures in India - An

Exploratory Study " at CASA (Rachna Building - 4th floor, 2 Rajendra

Place, Pusa Road, New Delhi, on Monday, 5 December 2005 from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

With support from NCA, South Asia, the study offers a new view of

India's HIV epidemic based on research in four districts with high HIV

prevalence. Through interviews with HIV positive people, and through visits and

interviews with health care and cosmetic service providers and clients in Sangli

District (Maharashtra), Belgaum District(Karnataka), Namakkal District (Tamil

Nadu), and South Goa District (Goa), the study explores a range of common blood

exposures -- such as medical injections, dentistry, tattooing, and others --

that put people at risk for HIV infections.

The study documents unsafe health care and cosmetic practices for

vulnerable groups; and reports unexplained cases of HIV in adults and

children.

In addition, the study reviews and critiques India's AIDS case

surveillance system, and suggests concrete steps to improve the

reliability and usefulness of information on routes of HIV transmission from

AIDS case reporting.

From a review of published evidence and from field research, the study finds

that risks for HIV infection through blood exposures have been underestimated

and too often overlooked. The study recommends further research and

interventions, which could fit into plans for India's National AIDS Control

Programme, third phase, scheduled to begin in 2006.

The study was led by Mariette Correa and Gisselquist.

We look forward to your presence at CASA on 5 December 2005. Kindly

inform Indrani at indrani@... or phone

25730611/25730612/ 25731218/ 25731219 by the 3rd December if you are

attending the meeting.

Copies of the report will be made available at the venue.

With regards,

Sushant Agrawal

Director, CASA

on behalf of Norwegian Church Aid

Mariette

E-mail: <mariettec@...>