HIV Infections reduces in several countries

[Guest guest]

HIV Infections reduces in several countries

Avdhesh Gupta, Bali Indonesia

 

An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV in World.  Every year 2.7

million person newly infected HIV and estimated 2 million AIDS-related deaths

last year. The rate of new HIV infections has fallen in several countries, but

globally these favorable trends are at least partially offset by increases in

new infections in other countries including India.

Globally, women account for half of all HIV infections—this percentage has

remained stable or the past several years. The global percentage of adults

living with HIV has leveled off since 2000. In virtually all regions outside

sub-Saharan Africa, HIV disproportionately affects people who inject drugs, men

who have sex with men and sex workers. In south east Asia 4.2 million persons

are living with HIV, every year 33 lacs are new infections and aprox 4 lacs

death every year.

The efforts were made in several fields to reduce the new infections. The good

progress has been made in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

 Percentage of pregnant women living with HIV receiving ARV increased from 9%

to 33% in last four years.

The prevention is still an only tool to combat HIV infections. The too that is

education and in main 64 countries more than 40 % young people are knowledgeable

about HIV. The sex before 15 years of age reduces significantly.

There is triple HIV prevention action has been taken to check the transmission

from high risk to low risk population.

Stigma and discrimination is still a barrier in preventing HIV/AIDS. The goal of

universal treatment is not yet achieved and it is the main issue in the 9th

ICCAP conference at Bali. Indonesia. The number of new infections are continues

and tragedy is that on every two people bring on the treatment another new five

infected with HIV.

Only 30 lacs people in low and middle income countries are receiving ARV

treatment and it is about 31 % of total need. Strongly the globally, women are

more conscious and the number is higher than men.

The possible reason is that men are hiding their disease and they come on

surface when already their CD4 counts become very low.

Still there is no effective policy for children infected or affected with HIV.

In Africa alone only 33 % children infected with HIV are under coverage of ARV.

The death rate due to AIDS has been decreased significantly in last two years

due to greater access of treatment and other care and support services.

We yet to face the difficult phase of increasing cost of treatment in near

future. As more and more people are on ARV gradually demand of 2nd and 3rd lines

treatment has been increased. Delayed access to these drugs makes the disease

management more complex for the estimated 30 million HIV-positive people

worldwide who have never been on treatment.

Most countries have policies providing free antiretroviral drugs—however many

patients have to pay ‘out-of-pocket’ costs such as diagnostic tests,

treatments for opportunistic infections and transportation, items which can be

quite considerable depending on local contexts.

Dr. Avdhesh Gupta

Medical Director and CEO Ashray- Jaipur

e-mail: <dragupta@...>