Rich people opt more for AIDS testing

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Rich people opt more for AIDS testing: Report

New Delhi, Jan 06: People belonging to higher income segments opt

more for voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS tests as

compared to people from lower income groups, according to a World

Health Organisation (WHO) report.

The report based on a survey conducted in six states showed four per

cent of respondents in the higher income groups undergoing voluntary

counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS.

In comparison, one per cent of people from lower income group have

gone for voluntary counselling and HIV/AIDS testing.

The Indian Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS) has carried out

the fieldwork for the survey in India and submitted its report to the

WHO. It has found that six per cent of the respondents or their

spouses in ages 18-49 have reported using condoms in India.

Condom use was the highest in Assam and Uttar Pradesh -- ten per cent

each, while the lowest of two per cent was found in Karnataka.

A higher proportion of males compared to females, urban compared to

rural and higher income group respondents compared to lower income

group are using condoms, the report said.

For the world health survey, a total of 58343 from 10750 households

were covered -- 52 per cent males and 48 per cent females.

The survey, which was conducted in Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra,

Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, said that two per cent of

women respondents in ages 18-49 have reported as having received

voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS through anti-natal

clinics.

The highest of five per cent women respondents received voluntary

counselling and testing in Maharashtra followed by three per cent in

Karnataka.

The report said that voluntary counselling and testing was less than

one per cent in rest of the four states.

It said that two per cent of respondents have reported tuberculosis

screening in India.

" The highest four per cent of respondents from Rajasthan and three

per cent each from West Bengal and Maharashtra have been screened for

tuberculosis, " the report said.

A greater per cent of males compared to females, rural compared to

higher income group respondents have been screened for tuberculosis,

the report added.

Bureau Report

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