HIV testing: India ranked best, Russia worst

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HIV testing: India ranked best, Russia worst

Thursday, August 07, 2008: The Lancet study compared data from

several clinics in each country to calculate the cost-effectiveness

and quality of services provided

New Delhi: India topped the list of five mid-income countries that

provide free HIV testing and counselling to people, reported the

scientific journal 'The Lancet'. The unexpected pat on the back came

after a comparison of testing and counselling facilities in India,

Russia, Mexico, Uganda and South Africa that showed India's was not

only the cheapest but also the most cost-effective. Russia did the

worst.

The Lancet study compared data from several clinics in each country

to calculate the cost-effectiveness and quality of services

provided. " India and Russia represent the two extremes in terms of

implementation performance, with the quality of services being

similar in almost all centers surveyed in India. The difference

between quality in different clinics was the highest in Russia, " said

lead author Dr. Stefano M. Bertozzi from the National Institute of

Public Health, presenting the data at the XVII International AIDS

Conference on Tuesday.

India's programme, run by the National AIDS Control Organisation, is

also the most cost effective, costing the government US$ 3 (Rs 120)

per person. The cost was as high as US$ 1,000 in some centres in

Russia.

One reason for cost being down in India was the number of people

counselled and tested, with a study showing that doubling the numbers

reduced the average cost by 50 per cent in India, " We may have the

volumes, but that too is because people have increased awareness

about the disease and more and more are coming forward to get tested.

You must remember that the testing is purely voluntary and people can

refuse if they so wish, " says Suresh Mohammed, national programme

officer, National AIDS Control Organisation.

There are 2.47 million people living with HIV in India, with almost

1.6 lakh getting free treatment under the government programme. The

cost to government is Rs 550 per patient per year.

Dolling up sex education

Former US policewoman Marcia uses a unique sex education tool

that crosses all language barriers: dolls with sexual body

parts. " Anatomical dolls help children de-personalise and share their

own perceptions about sexual behaviours, including abuse, " says

, tUS-based consultant in criminal justice and social issues.

developed the dolls 30 years ago to help sexually abused

children describe what happened to them. These dolls are currently

used for sex education not just in the US but also in Mozambique,

where role-playing helps children with no education learn about

sexual body parts, pregnancy prevention, preventing sexually-

transmitted diseases and how to wear a condom.

" Apart from genetalia, these dolls have mouths and tongues and come

with clothes and underclothes. They come in shades of white, light

brown and dark brown and can be dressed in clothes appropriate to the

area where there are being used, " says . Given the opposition

to sex education in India, these dolls are not likely to be seen in a

sari or kurta soon.

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