Title: HIV infection in Tirupati, India [letter]

POPLINE Document Number: 076290

Author(s):

Ravi-Sockanathan

Source citation:

GENITOURINARY MEDICINE, 1992 Jun;68(3):199.

Abstract:

In their serosurveillance study of "high risk group" individuals for the prevalence of HIV infection at Tirupati, 7050 high risk group individuals, namely 4957 STD clinic patients (3594 males and 1363 females), 1195 blood donors (1144 males and 51 females), 54 female prostitutes, 820 antenatal cases and 24 contacts of HIV infected cases were screened. Out of 7050 samples screened, 50 were seropositive (0.71%). Among 3594 male STD patients, 31 (0.86%) were seropositive. However, among 1363 female STD patients who were either contacts or wives of male STD patients, no HIV seropositivity was detected. In contrast to this, a high prevalence of HIV infection was found among 14 (25.92%) of 54 female prostitutes tested. These figures clearly indicate that the prostitutes in Tirupati may act as a reservoir of HIV infection and may transmit the disease to their clients who could be Hindus visiting Madras or the sacred temple in Tirupati in India from most parts of the world including the US. This could lead to further dissemination of the disease. I feel that most pilgrims and holiday makers from UK are unaware of the prevalence of HIV infection in Tirupati and some men may indulge in casual unprotected sex with an infected prostitute and acquire the infection. It is therefore mandatory that Hindus from UK, US, Canada, Australia and other European countries should be made aware of the prevalence of the infection in these areas and thus not indulge in casual unprotected sex. This may perhaps be implemented by publishing information in the lay press to which many Hindus have greater access. I wondered whether it would be feasible for the Government of India to print posters indicating the prevalence of the infection in these areas, thereby increasing the awareness of the general public. These posters may be displayed in public places such as hospital waiting areas, railway stations, central bus stations and crowded city centers, etc., possibly avoiding the sacred areas like Thirumalai. Ideally specialist medical practitioners with an interest in HIV infection would be trained in India, as in the UK and the other parts of the western world. Only then will a cohort of dedicated physicians be able to influence the attitude of the society and government to take effective control measures to limit further morbidity and mortality from HIV disease. (full text) (3 references cited in original document)

Keywords:

India
HIV Prevention
HIV Transmission
Screening
Prevalence
Population At Risk
Sex Workers
Sex Behavior
Training Activities
Physicians
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Examinations and Diagnoses
Measurement
Research Methodology
Behavior
Training Programs
Education
Health Personnel
Delivery of Health Care
Health