HYDERABAD: A survey conducted in 23 districts of the state between August and October 2003, aimed at collecting epidemiological information, indicates that more than 1 per cent of pregnant women in 18 districts were HIV positive.

 

During the survey, blood samples were drawn from pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics and were used as proxy to measure the prevalence of HIV in the general adult population. In Chittoor district, six per cent of the pregnant women were found to be HIV positive. In Guntur, the percentage was 3.75, Ongole 3 per cent, Kakinada 2.5 per cent, Anantapur and Vizianagaram 1.25 per cent each.

 

The difference in HIV prevalence among the urban and rural population is not wide and this indicates that people in both places are equally at risk. About 95 per cent of pregnant women, who tested HIV positive in the ante-natal clinics are below 29 years. Though the state government claims that it had been successful in grappling with the epidemic and has been able to create greater awareness among people, agencies like UNAIDS and NGOs are worried over the increasing number of cases being reported among young adults in the age group of 15-44 years. The multiple partner syndrome which was once considered to be prevalent among the economically weaker sections of the society like truck drivers, has now cut across economic barriers.

 

Those who belong to affluent sections of the society are also having multiple partners and are in the high-risk zone.

 

According to YES regional forum, numerous factors facilitate the rapid spread of HIV among youth, including age and biological and emotional issues. A number of socio-economic issues further complicate the situation. The YES summit document feels that there is inter-relationship of HIV AIDS with economic development. The "broad minded attitude” is pushing men and women in the ages 15-24 into the centre of the epidemic and this is a global phenomena. What is disturbing is 62 percent of infected young people are women.