Beware of HIV infection

Abstinence, faithfulness and use of condoms are the best bets against HIV prevention.

There are 4.58 million HIV positive cases in India, the second largest in the world after South Africa. Though the prevalence rates of HIV in India are low, being less than one per cent in adult population, the problem is serious because of the large number of HIV positive cases. Given India’s large population, a mere 0.1 per cent increase in the prevalence rate would increase the number of adults living with HIV/AIDS by over half a million persons.

Seven states in India have been labelled as states with high prevalence rates - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland. High prevalence, high risk or red alert zones are those where the prevalence of HIV positive is more than one per cent in the ante-natal case population. On the other hand, moderate risk or grey zones are defined as areas where the prevalence of HIV is less than one per cent in ante-natal cases but more than five per cent in high risk behaviour individuals. Low risk prevalence or yellow zone is defined where the prevalence of HIV in ante-natal cases is less than one per cent and the prevalence in high risk behaviour individuals is less than five per cent. The highest prevalence of HIV is in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. In these states the prevalence of HIV in ante-natal cases is more than two per cent.

As per National AIDS Control Society figures dated February 29, 2004, in 86.4 per cent cases the transmission is through sexual contact. In 2.8 per cent it is peri-natal, 2.83 per cent it is via blood and blood products and 2 per cent amongst IV drug users through exchange of needles and 6.37 per cent by unidentified means.

Out of 67,416 AIDS patients, as on February 29, 2004, 23,066 were between the age 15-29 and 37,157 between the age 30-44. 25-35 is the age notorious for promiscuity. This is the period when people indulge in experimentation in pre-marital or extra marital sex.

Every year around 0.15 million new cases of HIV infection are added in India. The figures were 0.16 million in 2000 and 0.11 million in 2001.

The current statistics show that in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra more than 10 per cent of the high risk behaviour individuals may be HIV positive. In Manipur, the IV drug users may be upto 50 per cent positive.

Sixty-four per cent of patients attending the STI clinics in Mumbai have been found to be positive for HIV infection. The same prevalence in Delhi is less than one per cent.

The prevalence of HIV, overall, may be declining in the country. Tamil Nadu showed a reduction in prevalence from one per cent in 2000 to 0.7 per cent in 2003.

The message is very clear. To prevent HIV infection one should remember “AB & C” where “A” stands for abstinence, which is the best way of preventing HIV infection, “B” stands for being faithful to one’s partner presuming the partner is also faithful and “C” stands for using condom for any other relationship.

I, personally, will add “D” which means do not take chances in the so-called promiscuous and other states with high prevalence of HIV. High risk behaviour does not mean only going to a red light area but also involves having sex with the so-called high society call girls.

(Dr. Aggarwal is Sr. Consultant, Mool Chand Hospital, Executive Vice Chairman, Heart Care Foundation of India & President, IMA New Delhi Branch.)