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HIV Prevalence In Antenatal Women Found To Be More In Orissa

by Dr. Sunil Shroff on Mar 13 2008 6:51 PM

As per the HIV Sentinel Surveillance data, four districts in Orissa namely Anugul, Bolangir, Bhadrak and Ganjam have been identified as category ‘A’ districts i.e. districts having HIV prevalence of more than 1% among Antenatal women representing General Population.

The probable reasons for spread of HIV infection in Ganjam and Bhadrak, which are coastal districts are (a) large scale out migration to far flung areas like ship breaking yards in Bhavnagar and various industries in Surat & Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat and Mumbai (b) number of National Highways and large number of truckers passing through the districts have increased the vulnerability of these districts. However, there is no evidence regarding the spread of HIV in these districts due to foreign tourist and infiltrators from Bangladesh.

In order to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in the State, Government of India has launched the National AIDS Control Programme Phase III, through State AIDS Control Socieities with the goal to halt and reverse the epidemic in the country over the next 5 years by integrating programmes for prevention, care, support and treatment.

However, the primary focus is given to preventive efforts focusing on high risk population consisting of female sex workers, men having sex with men, injectable drug users, truckers and migrant population.

In order to make people aware about HIV/AIDS and promote safe behaviours, NACO and State AIDS Control Societies conduct regular IEC campaigns through mass media and inter-personal communication channel. During these campaigns, the information regarding availability of counseling and testing services is also provided to the community.

A special train (Red Ribbon Express) has been launched on 1st December, 2007 to spread the HIV/AIDS awareness messages in various Rural areas. Rupees 15.06 crore have been allocated to Orissa State during the financial year 2007-08 for implementing the programme.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

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Source-PIB
SUN/L


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