Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120250380100.htm

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Fall in HIV cases in Tuticorin district

R. Vimal Kumar

It has fallen to
0.25 per cent
in 2006HIV prevalence is higher in rural areas: official

Tuticorin: The incidence of HIV infection has come down in the district in the last few years, according to R. Kamaraj, District Programme Manager, Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS).

Speaking to The Hindu here on Saturday, he said that the number of HIV positive cases in the district had come down from 0.75 per cent in 2003 to 0.25 per cent in 2006.

The figures were computed based on sentinel surveillance surveys conducted by the TANSACS in the district during the period.

He attributed the decline to better awareness among the public, thanks to the campaigns undertaken by various stakeholders in the district.

According to him, a total of 1,026 persons had been identified as HIV positive during the last five years till September 30, through tests conducted at 26 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (IC&TCs).

The IC&TCs were established at Government hospitals, block-level primary health centres and municipal maternity health centres.

Mr. Kamaraj said that at the State-level too, HIV prevalence rate had plummeted in the last five years. While HIV prevalence stood at 1.13 per cent in 2001, it had come down to 0.38 in 2006.

“Our survey indicated that HIV prevalence is higher in rural areas,” he added.

Salem tops the list

According to him, Salem district recorded the highest HIV prevalence of 2.25 per cent in the State, followed by Namakkal with 1.75 per cent and Theni with 1.13 per cent.

Mr Kamaraj said that cassettes and pamphlets are being distributed as part of the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities launched by TANSACS to popularise the prevention of AIDS and to curtail false notions about the killer syndromme.