------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Women, kids are vulnerable to HIV infection: report ------------------------------------------------------------------ The latest report of the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) on 'AIDS in Women and Children 2003-2004' reveals that women are vulnerable to HIV infection for biological, economic and social reasons, while children are more prone to be infected by the deadly virus due to their sexual exploitation and violence as well as lack of access to the related information and preventive services.
The report published on the occasion to mark the conclusion of the AIDS fortnight, held from December 1 to 15, further clarifies that 263, 347 and 287 cases of women getting infected with HIV were recorded by the state during 2001, 2002 and 2003 (up to September), respectively.
Furthermore, the report notes that out of the 23,000 annual live births which occur in Goa, 70 infants acquire HIV infections by way of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). "During the last four years, from 1999 to 2002, the number of HIV-infected children in the age group below 15 years detected in Goa, ranged between 33 to 45 per year, accounting for 4.1 to 5.6 per cent of the total cases detected," it notes.
Dissemination of information on AIDS/ HIV to young girls and women in the reproductive age group, providing reproductive health services, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted infections to them, availability of voluntary counselling and testing of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV, promotion of condom usage, partner notification, undertaking women empowerment programmes, enactment and enforcement of laws to curb violence against women, supporting women groups, reducing women's vulnerability through policy changes that protect human rights and basic freedoms, proper ante-natal care and adequate nutrition during pregnancy would reduce the high risk of women of getting infected with HIV, the report says.
The report also informs that the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) programme has been launched at the Goa Medical College from April 2003. The programme is aimed at effective reduction of MTCT of HIV infection by providing quality ante-natal care including preventive services and reproductive health related interventions in couple-setting, besides other measures.
The enactment of a legislation through Goa Children's Act, 2003, that seeks to protect, preserve and promote the best interests of children and to give all children their rightful due of a happy and secure childhood will go a long way in preventing the transmission of the HIV virus to children, the report states, adding, "prohibition of child labour and child prostitution including all forms of child abuse (paedophilia) are highlights of the Act."
The GSACS report further observes that altogether 793 people in the state were detected with HIV infections up to September, this year, in comparison to 999 persons, last year and 801, the year before that.
The number of AIDS deaths witnessed by the state in 2001, 2002 and 2003 (up to September) are 15, 14 and 28, respectively, the report points out, hinting at the possible increase in the number of casualties due to the disease, in the future.
The report, in the chapter 'Goa's initiatives' observes that blood safety, control of STDs, voluntary counselling and testing centres, targetted interventions at commercial sex workers, migrant labour, truck drivers, hotel staff, homosexuals and tourism-related workers, CD4/CD8 blood count facility, family health awareness campaigns, care and support for people living with AIDS/ HIV, awareness of transmission and prevention of HIV/ AIDS, training for specialists, medical officers and other paramedical staff on HIV/AIDS/STDs awareness, drugs for opportunistic infections and post-exposure prophylaxis, mapping of high risk groups, inter-sectoral collaboration with various departments like health, education, social welfare, child and women development, labour, youth affairs, industries and so on, and finally, initiatives from political leadership in the anti-AIDS programmes are some of the infrastructural facilities that would form effective measures against containing the menace.
The report, which marks the coastal belt talukas such as Bardez, Tiswadi, Mormugao and Salcete as the most AIDS infected places in the state with infection rate percentage of 11.1, 14.7, 26.4 and 19.1, respectively, further concludes that the main obstacles, which undermine effective response to AIDS thus allowing the disease to spread are, widespread denial and complacency displaying the attitude that AIDS only happens to someone else, somewhere else and not to us leading to low level of risk perception, myths and misconceptions about its cause, spread and methods of prevention as well as the absence of either a preventive vaccine or cure.
"Means of HIV prevention are known and preventive interventions are simple and available but they are to be followed and in opportune time," the report says.
In conclusion, it points out, "As individuals, people must adopt a lifestyle
without risk of HIV, families should instill good culture and values among
adolescents and young people, men should respect women and as care
givers and fathers, they should not bring the HIV infection into their families,
society should counter discrimination against people with AIDS/HIV,
policy makers should show concern and ensure government commitment
to fight AIDS and health personnel must provide clinical care and counseling
services to encounter the AIDS infections."
Now, the challenge is to identify appropriate, locally relevant interventions and reach out to the people, particularly young people and women, it mentions, suggesting, "by following a concerted policy and an action plan that emerges out of it, government hopes to control the epidemic and slow down its spread in the general population within the shortest possible time." ------------------------------------------------ The Navhind Times 16/12/03 page 1 ------------------------------------------------
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