During the World AIDS Day, Concern in India will be involved in many activities to help educate and raise awareness of the issues of HIV and AIDS. The key theme of the events will be stamping out the stigma and discrimination faced by those with AIDS. Events will include radio programmes on FM Choklate, stalls and performers in various locations and sponsorship of a football tournament for 400 boys aged between 14 to 16 years of age.

A global challenge

The spread of HIV and AIDS continues to be a major challenge across the globe. It is a challenge that goes beyond public health, raising fundamental issues of human rights and threatening development advances in many areas. One seventh of all the world’s HIV and AIDS cases are Indian. The latest National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) report showed 72,000 new HIV infections in 2005 compared to 28,000 in 2004 – a 157% jump. Most of the new infections are in the 22 to 45 years age group.

A shifting epidemic

Although HIV and AIDS are still largely concentrated in typically high-risk populations, the recent data suggests that the epidemic is moving beyond these groups and into the general population. The majority of the reported AIDS cases (88.7% HIV cases) have occurred in the sexually active and economically productive 15 to 44 age group with the predominant mode of HIV transmission is through heterosexual contact. The epidemic continues to shift towards women and young people. The increasing HIV prevalence among women is also resulting in the increase of mother to child transmission of HIV, and infections among children. One third of the reported cases are among young people below the age of 30.

Poor at greater risk

The poor continue to be particularly at risk due to several factors, including the nature of their work and living conditions, which can lead to greater risk taking behaviours. Myths and misconceptions growing out of ignorance and fear persist, giving rise to greater stigma and discrimination.

Generating awareness and demystifying the issues of HIV and AIDS are crucial. Concern is hoping to communicate with people in a constructive and informative way as part of this process. The media has a key role to play in raising awareness and changing attitudes. The popularity of television and radio, especially amongst young people, will also need to be used to better inform Indian people about these issues and to stamp out HIV and AIDS stigma.