State beats national average in hiv among high-risk groups
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The HIV Sentinel survey result (2010-11) spells bad news with cases of HIV/AIDS in the state being higher that the Indian average in the high-risk categories. The HIV Sentinel survey result
(2010-11) spells bad news with cases of HIV/AIDS in the state being higher that the Indian average in the high-risk categories. According to the report released by National Aids Control
Organisation (NACO) on Friday, the state has the worst figures for men having sex with men (9.91%) when the national average is 4.43%. The state figure for intravenous drug users (IDU) in
the state is 14.17% which is double the all-India percentage. Maharashtra has, however, shown a good progress in bringing down HIV prevalence in female sex workers even if its percentage is
higher than country’s average. Officials say it is easier to counsel female sex workers for preventive measures than convince MSM or IDU. Dr A Kaur, programme director (targeted
intervention), Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society, said: “Among the IDU users, the usage of brown sugar injected through intravenous route in the skin is rampant. As they are doped,
chances of injecting drugs through infected needles are high.”