Problems of AIDS in India especially in women

Abstract

According to the World Health Organisation survey, 3 million women are already infected with HIV all over the World, but in India the problem of AIDS as a whole is not that acute especially in women. At least it is not that alarming. India, having a very high incidence of STD, it will not take much time for the spread of the HIV infection. No case of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV and resultant clinical disease in the neonate and children has as yet been reported in India. Infected babies, however, face a short life--nearly all die before reaching 2 years of age. Breast feeding is not a significant means of transmitting AIDS. The disease can spread only through sexual contact, use of infected syringe or transfusion of infected blood. Therefore, doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff in hospitals who may have to deal with AIDS patients need not fear the virus if they take adequate precautions. There is no known curative treatment for HIV infection causing AIDS, but improving literacy, avoiding sexual promiscuity and using condoms in heterosexual intercourse are positive steps in keeping HIV infection at a considerably low level.

PIP: Although data from a World Health Organization survey indicate that 3 million women are infected with HIV worldwide, AIDS in India in general and especially among women has yet to become an acute problem. One should take note, however, that 60% of HIV infection over the world is the result of heterosexual intercourse. This proportion will increase to 75-80% by the year 2000, making women in their subordinate familial and social roles even more vulnerable to HIV infection from sexual intercourse. The very high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in India will help facilitate the rapid spread of HIV. Accordingly, unless urgent steps are taken to stem the spread of HIV, HIV and AIDS will sweep over India in massive, destructive proportions in the coming years. Although no case of maternal-infant HIV transmission and resultant clinical disease in neonates and children has been reported, the risk of maternal-fetal and maternal-infant infection remains. Breastfeeding is not considered a significant means of transmitting AIDS. Insofar as the safety from infection of health professionals who care for people with AIDS is concerned, professionals must remember that HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, use of infected syringes, or the transfusion of infected blood. Health professionals, therefore, need not fear being infected by their patients as long as they adhere to proper precautionary procedures. Finally, while no curative treatment is known for HIV infections, improving literacy, avoiding sexual promiscuity, and using condoms in sexual intercourse will help minimize the incidence of HIV infection.