Kumar B, Sharma NM, Gupta S, Rai R; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. MoPeC2323.
B. Kumar, Department of Dermatology,, Venereology & Leprology, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012, India, Tel.: +91 172 745 330, Fax: +91 172 744 401, E-mail: medinst@pgi.chd.nic.in
Introduction: India is a country with wide variation in geographic, cultural and behavioral patterns. This is also reflected in the trends of current HIV epidemic in various regions of the country. We conducted a large population based study in the slums and hutments on the outskirts of Chandigarh as well as a study among STD clinic attendees to find out the status of HIV epidemic in northern part of the country and compared our data with data from other parts of the country. Methods: after proper training of doctors and paramedical workers of government and non-governmental organizations, a house to house survey was conducted in all the colonies of the survey area. The people were informed about HIV/AIDS and motivated to attend medical camps for screening and treatment of STDs. The teams for each camp consisted of one male and one female STD specialists, a trained counselor, pharmacist, technician and helpers. Forty-five such camps were organized. All subjects who attended the camp were interviewed for any symptom related to STDs. Those who were symptomatic, were examined, treated and were motivated to give blood samples for HIV and VDRL. Besides this, all patients who attended STD clinic at a tertiary care hospital from 1993 to July 1999 were screened for HIV. Results: the total population covered by house-to-house survey was 228654, out of them 100706 persons (43.5% of survey population; males 49709 (49.35%), females 50997 (50.65%)) actually attended the camps. Out of 100706 persons, 2235 (2.2% ,151 males (0.3%) 2084 females (4%)) were found to have an STI (Genital ulcer, Urethral/vaginal discharge) and were treated accordingly (on the basis of syndromic approach). Out of the 2235 patients with STI, 1434 (64%) agreed for HIV testing and 7 (0.48%) of them were found to be positive as tested by ELISA and confirmed by Western blot. None of the 1434 samples was positive for VDRL. Out of 981 new STD clinic attendees, only 40 were found to be HIV positive with a seroprevalence of 4%. Conclusions: The results of our study from northern India revealed a significantly lower prevalence of HIV when compared with data from other parts of the country. Absence of overt centers of prostitution and social and cultural inhibition for sexual activities are the probable factors responsible for this significant difference. Another important reason may be the late introduction of HIV in the area under study. However, long distance truckers and migratory industrial workers are likely to expose this low level HIV epidemic zone to a greater risk. Health education and condom promotion are the measures urgently required to check the spread of HIV.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Condoms
- Disease Outbreaks
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- India
- Male
- Mass Screening
- Prevalence
- Prostitution
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Other ID:
UI: 102237980
From Meeting Abstracts