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HIV in India

What is the situation of HIV/AIDS in India?

By the end of 2006 India was reported as having the highest number of HIV infected people of any country in the world, at an estimated 5.7 million. (UNAIDS 2006)

In July 2007, UNAIDS and NACO released revised figures suggesting that the number of cases in India is closer to 2.6 million, with HIV prevalance estimated at 0.36%. Quoted in the accompanying release, Mr Naresh Dayal (Secretary Health and Chair of the National AIDS Control Board) stated: “While it is good news that the total number of HIV infections is lower than previously thought, we cannot be complacent. The steady and slow spread of the HIV infection is a worrying factor. The better understanding of India’s epidemic has certainly enabled us to have more focused HIV prevention and treatment strategies and more effective deployment of resources.”

However, many regions have HIV prevalence well above the WHO epidemic mark of 1%, including Pune. Of the 49 high prevalence HIV/AIDS districts in India, 14 are in Maharashtra. (Population Reference Bureau)

Amongst this uncertainty, painful realities remain.

HIV is real, HIV is here, HIV is now.

We see this every day within Pune. Complacency is not an option.

HIV transmission modes in India (NACO)

Transmission Category	Percentage
Sexual	85%
Mother-to-child	4%
Blood & blood products	2%
Injecting drug use	2%
Others (not specified)	6%

HIV emerged later in India than it did in many other countries, but this has not limited its impact. Infection rates soared throughout the 1990s, and have increased further in recent years. The crisis continues to deepen, as it becomes clearer that the epidemic is affecting all sectors of Indian society, not just groups – such as sex workers and truck drivers – that it was originally associated with.

To find out more, visit AVERT.

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