Since the epidemic of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) peaked in 2000, the projected adult HIV prevalence (15–49 years old) has decreased nationally. It was estimated to be 0.54% in 2000, 0.32% in 2010, and 0.22% in 2021. According to India HIV Estimates 2021, the northeast region’s states—Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur—have the highest adult HIV prevalence, at 2.70 percent; southern states—Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, at 0.47%, 0.47%, and 1.05%, respectively—have the mentioned rates.
Generally, states with low socioeconomic status, unfavourable health indicators, and inadequate health infrastructure are at risk.
The National AIDS Control Organisation, which has been a part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare since 1992, has implemented the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), which consists of five phases, in an effort to contain and ultimately eradicate the AIDS epidemic in India. It has achieved great success in lowering the annual incidence of new HIV infections by two-thirds and death rate by more than half (54% approx.) in the past two decades. Otherwise about 25 years back, these rates were many times higher than now.
Additionally, from a peak of 0.54% in 2000–2001 to 0.22% in 2020, the nation’s prevalence is continuously falling. Despite the low incidence overall, there is a notable geographical variation among the states, with higher averages found in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Punjab, Goa, and Tamil Nadu are some other states/union territories whose adult HIV prevalence is thought to be greater than the national average. These notable inter-state differences highlight the necessity of intensifying and broadening preventative initiatives in order to reduce population risk by up to 80% by 2025.
As of right now, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India has a significant degree of variability, which controls the dynamics of the disease’s epidemiological burden and population transmission. High-risk populations including female sex workers (FSWs), men having sex with men (MSM), injectable drug users (IDUs), truck drivers, those with low socioeconomic level (SES), and migrants have been found to have a higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS. As a result, HIV risk is a function of both low awareness and unfavorable social determinants that fuel current high-risk behavior.
For younger generations, some rich parents also provide everything to their children by giving their money….. but by the time they understand the real thing, it is too late.
In recent past, due to excessive liberty in the name of constitutional rights, politics, globalization, over use of gadgets (audiovisual) of communication, mutual unhealthy competition and falling level of sensitivity, the safe structure of the society is continuously deteriorating. This all is pushing community towards high risk behaviors of indulgence.
Rates of HIV have been increasing in Madhya Pradesh (including ANCs & children of Satna district) &in certain North East sectors (IDU population of Tripura schools & colleges) etc in recent past.
In the scarcity of even basic amenities, so many temptations are there for people to get lured. Because of all these, social evils are becoming prevalent and the desire to make easy money, the habit of playing with money, etc. has given rise to playing with freedom.
Nowadays, without performing moral duties, the youth is getting carried away under the guise of human rights. Those who stay away from their parents in the name of education are continuously
deteriorating the norms & condition of the society. Along with this they also get protection from some anti-social elements. To achieve happiness in life, almost everyone feels it is necessary to become a part of corruption and give up the values of life.
Indiscriminate exposure to plethora of content from sources across the web despite of presence of systems for evaluating the content & reporting the suitability for minors etc are leading to the tendencies of experimentation & to imitate for the sake of adventure plus fun. Trigger warnings are often overlooked by high risk individuals.
Today’s majority of youth, in the grip of degradation of human values along with the abuse of their intellectual rights, justifies the murder of a Value System killed by barbaric cruelty in the absence of conscience. Depriving yourself of available security is a sign of stupidity & nowadays people are doing this stupidity again & again despite of awareness. Ignoring safety rules is proving costly and that is why AIDS and STDs are increasing in certain pockets.
So far we have talked a lot about people’s mistakes, let us now talk about the mistakes made by the employees deployed to guard that system. How did the matter keep getting out of hand (in certain geographical locations) despite those people being there?
What were the flaws in surveillance and monitoring services? Why the increasing figures in certain zones were not immediately paid attention to and controlled? Well, we all know that this is a very complex and difficult problem to answer.
The deployment of Targeted Intervention (TI) projects is the most effective way to stop the spread of HIV. IDU monitoring, condom promotion, aggressive antenatal care testing, public-private partnerships, telemedicine initiatives, frequent reviews and data quality assessments, and integration with mother and child health programs have all contributed to the drop in HIV prevalence.
To target the elimination of HIV/AIDS authorities need to focus on the hot spots and regions having a higher incidence of HIV in India. When it comes to creating policies and programs that can accomplish the specific aims of SDG 3.3, empirical data is most evident. Every aspect of the epidemiological triad requires the application of micro-level, evidence-based strategies.
With this hope that soon every Homo Sapiens Sapiens will recognize their capabilities and try to improve themselves, I wish well for all the people affected by AIDS.
