Hyderabad|India|November'2009: The Chief Minister K. Rosaiah directed the officials that a renewed intensive campaign be launched in the State to make people aware of the seriousness of HIV/AIDS. Mr Rosaiah reviewed the issues, activities and efforts being made for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the State by the A.P. State AIDS Control Society. The Chief Minister wanted the AIDS to be wiped out of the State with a systematic campaign and effective preventive steps.

It has been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister by the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, J.Satyanarayana and Project Director, AP State AIDS Control Society, Hyderabad, R.V.Chandravadan that prevalence of the HIV/AIDS in the State has come down from 1.63% in 2004 to 1% in 2008. However, despite the best efforts and massive scale up as well as uptake of services like HIV testing, treatment, care and support services, new HIV infections are still occurring which is the cause for concern.

The Chief Minister agreed to the proposal to integrate HIV/AIDS activities with National Rural Health Mission for better convergence and increase effectiveness of treatment to the People Living with HIV/AIDS.

The recent reports indicate that, the HIV prevalence has come down in Srikakulam, Krishna, Anantapur, East Godavari and Prakasam. The prevalence remained static in West Godavari, Nellore, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad. However the HIV prevalence has marginally increased in districts like Guntur, Kadapa, Adilabad, Kurnool and Chittoor. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts made in scaling up the services, wherein large number of people living with HIV/AIDS are being benefited. He suggested to launch massive awareness campaigns in the State making people aware of the methods of prevention and adopt safe behaviour to ensure that the HIV prevalence is further brought down in the State.

It has been reported that, Andhra Pradesh has an adult prevalence of 0.97% in the age group of 15-49 years as against the national average of 0.34%. Presence of traditional sex trade routes, migrant labour, commercial activity and shift in health seeking behaviour among young people are said to be some of the contributing factors for the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The Chief Minister was informed that though there is very high level of awareness of 96% about HIV/AIDS in the State as per Behaviour Sentinel Surveillance studies of 2006, the awareness has not yet resulted into action for behaviour change. In view of this, Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society has submitted to the Chief Minster that they would take up a renewed massive awareness campaign along with restructuring the Targeted Interventions for the sex workers.

Reachout's News Bureau
November' 2009