DIMAPUR SEPT 28 (MExN): Within three to four years time starting from September 2005, Nagaland may have approximately about 13,000 to 15,000 HIV/AIDS infected people. The projected number doesn’t include the probable proportion of unaccounted/reported cases.
Talking to The Morung Express, The Deputy Director of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), Dr L Yanthan expressed serious concern that if a renewed effort from the grass-root level was not undertaken to create more platforms for spreading awareness, the figures might triple over the next couple or so years. “There are no formal statistics but (considering the extent of cases in recent times) it is projected that within a three years time the number of HIV/AIDS cases might touch around 13,000 to 15,000 cases of infection” said the Deputy Director. He also said that it was the individual that would make the biggest difference in curbing the pandemic. He said that owing to the sustained effort on the part of various NGOs concerned with the issue, the level of awareness about the disease in Nagaland was extremely high but cases were still increasing. “The people are not wholly participating in the change process” he rued while implying that the awareness and knowledge imbibed were not being used to the maximum extent to deter further casualties, particularly among the youths.
While referring to the various implications impacted on the world by HIV/AIDS Dr Yanthan said that Nagaland was faced with a reality-epidemic. “In medical terms, an epidemic is a serious term” he said implying on the laidback attitude of most Nagas in dealing with the issue. He informed that the latest statistics till June 2005 stood at 923 cases (Males-554, females-369) and “this are only the cases of patients who actually reported in a hospital” he reminded. Should the unreported/hidden cases be included, then the numbers would be extremely higher than the actual confirmed cases he added. In the statistics relevant to district-wise prevalence, Kohima (1.75%) Mokokchung (2.51%) and Tuensang (unconfirmed) accounted the highest cases and Dimapur, curiously stood lower than usually perceived, standing at 0.79 %.
The populace accounting for the HIV/AID confirmed cases comprises of sex-workers (4.44%), Ante-natal clinic attendees (1.28 %), Intravenous Drug Users (2.92%) and STD clinic attendees (1.72%). Emphasizing on the aforementioned statistics Dr Yanthan mapped the prevalence rate in spite of efforts that although the level of awareness was extremely high, there was, relatively, a high incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) et al. The factors were placed on high sexual promiscuity, low condom usage, early initiation of youths into drug-abuse, continued entrants of the same, academic failure of students, sexual exposure at an early age as well as peer pressure.
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