Andhra Pradesh

Fall in HIV positive cases in State

HYDERABAD: There is a fall in the number of HIV positive cases in the State from 5.6 lakh to 4.7 lakh, following the downward revision of estimated HIV positive persons based on a better method of sampling than the one used in the past.

Statistics at the national level on July 6 this year put the number at 2.56 crore and not 5.7 crore, according to figures published in the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative India newsletter of October-November. The newsletter quotes K. Sujatha Rao, Additional Secretary, Health, as saying that the ground realities had not changed.

The fresh figures were based on a better method of sampling on a ‘new methodology more dependable and robust’. “It is important to understand that the change in numbers is a correction in methodology. The risk factors are not altered,” she emphasised.

According to Padmavathy, Deputy Director, Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society, the figure of 4.7 lakh HIV positive cases in the State was arrived at after excluding those in the below 15 and above 49 age groups. The State already holds the dubious distinction of having the maximum number of HIV positive cases in the country.

West Godavari and Prakasam districts continue to maintain their high prevalence of HIV positive patients in the State.

However, a cause of worry is Mahabubnagar that has now achieved a percentage of 2.75, according to 2006 sentinel surveillance figures.

This vulnerability to HIV, Ms. Padmavathy told The Hindu, was attributed to people from the district migrating to other States in search of employment. Unprotected sex while staying away from the family could be one of the main reasons for rural people getting infected, she explained.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu