Findings of U.S.-Funded Studies on HIV and Infectious Diseases in India Released
Rural Areas and Women of Concern

March 9, 2005

NEW DELHI -- A series of studies tracking HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in "hot spot," higher prevalence areas of India shows that infections are spreading from urban to rural areas, and infecting more and more women. Stigma about HIV/AIDS and inaccurate information about how it is transmitted remains high.

"Decision-making data is our reconnaissance in the battle to defeat HIV/AIDS in India. We use it to evaluate operations and help us change course if necessary," said George Deikun, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) India, the research sponsor.

"HIV/AIDS in India is at a critical stage," he said. "The U.S. welcomes the opportunity to work with India to halt the advance of the disease."

At a scientific forum held today researchers highlighted key findings of three research efforts - two behavior surveys of people at higher risk for HIV/AIDS in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry; and a study of sexually transmitted infection rates in Tamil Nadu. George Deikun of USAID India and Dr. S. Y. Quraishi of the National AIDS Control Organization presided at the event.

Studies were carried out by the AIDS Prevention and Control Project (APAC) and the Avert Project, both USAID-funded partners.

Research was conducted in areas where disease levels are highest to test attitudes about HIV/AIDS and behavior patterns that impact its spread. Clinical testing for sexually transmitted infections showed that confidential and user-friendly services (provided outside a hospital or lab setting) yielded greater levels of participation.

Accurate knowledge of HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry - how it is transmitted and affects people - needs improvement. However, general awareness of the disease is high, according to the latest behavior survey conducted by APAC. Safe sex behavior (condom use) among prostitutes or truckers with non-regular partners is high, but healthy practices are lacking when higher risk people are with their regular partners.

There is some good news. Data show that overall HIV infection rates are on a downward trend in Tamil Nadu, due to intensive prevention and vigorous surveillance efforts by USAID-funded APAC partners.

In Maharashtra, the survey data reveal that safe sex practices between high risk people and their regular partners were noticeably low in the state, similar to Tamil Nadu. However, healthy practices among high risk groups and non-regular partners were low as well. Risky behavior was noted among poor male youths. The Maharashtra-based Avert Project fielded the survey, with USAID support.

"The U.S. and India are slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu, but we can't rest on our laurels," said Deikun. "In Maharashtra, we must work with our Indian partners to gain better traction in the struggle."

Rates of sexually transmitted infections are similar in rural and urban areas in Tamil Nadu, according to a USAID-sponsored study. This suggests a need to re-focus prevention activities to include rural areas, according to study sponsors. HIV infection rates of 0.7 percent were confirmed. Among prostitutes who participated in the study, rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were 56 percent. There is mixed opinion about STIs as a "marker" for tracking HIV, but experts agree that women with infections are more susceptible to contracting the virus.

The U.S. is a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. President Bush has made winning the war on the disease a priority of U.S. foreign policy.

Executive summaries of research studies available online: