A recent study has found that Andhra Pradesh is ranked among the top states for responsible sexual behaviour. Out of 4.40 million barrier devices (condoms) supplied by the National AIDS Control Organisation across India, 109 million have been supplied to the state. They seem to be put to good use too as the number of new sexually transmitted infectious diseases has drastically fallen in the past one year, especially among high risk groups, said a survey conducted by Naco.
Dr Prabhakar, regional director of India HIV Alliance said, “With the high risk groups like sex workers and transgenders (constituting two lakh of the population) choosing safe encounters, the number of HIV victims has reduced by 15 per cent in 2010 compared to 2009. Monitoring is being done for this year as well. The immediately available medical services (tests) at city and district levels and regular condom use have played an important role.” In the current year, only eight to ten women out of 100 who have been tested for HIV in the districts have been diagnosed as HIV-positive, according to the survey titled Mapping of High Risk Groups in AP, 2010.
Kailash Ditya, joint director for targeting interventions MTH said, “We are collaborating with various civil society groups and working to spread awareness of condom usage and medical tests among the rural population. Our goal is to see zero HIV-affected people by 2015. The organisation has set up 175 targeted intervention centres in order to educate people about safe sex.”
Meanwhile, several transgenders and hijra communities on Monday discussed issues like barriers they face in accessing health care, and the stigma and discrimination they battle daily. They also demanded the right to live a dignified life and be a part of society.