Problems of AIDS in India especially in women
Chowdhury, N.N.
Early Human Development 29(1-3): 225-229
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0378-3782 PMID: 1396243 DOI: 10.1016/0378-3782(92)90156-bDocument Number: 329283
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.