Abstract
The current prevalence of HIV in India is estimated to be around 4. 6 million infections, 74.8 per cent of those infected being men and 85.3 per cent of infections occurring through the sexual route. Analysis of data from biological and behavioural surveillance from across the country brings out the fact that the epidemic is heterogeneously distributed and is spreading not onlygeographically, but also shows increasing rates in different risk groups, while continuing to affect the general population.
The epidemic is in an advanced stage in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kar nataka, Manipur and Nagaland. Nationwide efforts have been initiatedduring the last decade through a comprehensive National AIDS Control Programme. The response has been participatory, multi-sectoral, evidence based and with a number ofsuccess stories. This gives us hope that a sustained high-quality response will contain and manage the epidemic and its consequences.
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