95 pc wives of HIV-infected men have AIDS:

[Guest guest]

95 pc wives of HIV-infected men have AIDS: social worker

Friday November 25 2005 00:00 IST

VELLORE: A survey has revealed that 95 percent of the wives of HIV-

infected persons have been affected by AIDS, said Joyce Rajan,

senior social worker, department of Medicine, Unit I, Christian

Medical College (CMC).

Speaking at a seminar on `A community driven approach with

unorganised sector representatives,' organised by the department on

Thursday, she said, ``Many women become widows within three years of

marriage due to HIV-infected men.''

Those affected with HIV could get treatment and live a normal life,

she added.

District Labour Officer Nagarajan said many construction workers

were prone to HIV/AIDS as they had to migrate to other states in

search of jobs.

Dr Vimal, Registrar of CMC said the immunity level of HIV-infected

persons would decrease due to the disease and lead to death.

He said even the use of condoms would give only 95 percent guarantee

from the disease though it was considered as a precautionary measure.

R T Palani, secretary, All India Construction Workers Union,

said, ``The calendars to be given to the construction workers next

year would have details about the disease and preventive measures to

create awareness among them.''

Dr Subramaniyam, research associate, Unit I, CMC said, ``We have all

the medicines to control HIV/AIDS and they are available free of

cost " .

" But, we do not have medicines to cure the disease.''

Around 200 construction workers across the district took part in the

programme.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?

ID=IET20051124111058 & Page=T & Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu & Topic=0