India
The first HIV/AIDS case in India was identified in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state, in 1986. Twenty-four years later, 2.4 million Indians are HIV positive, according to an estimate from the National HIV Sentinel Surveillance (United Nations General Assembly Special Session [UNGASS], 2010). Between 2001 and 2009, however, HIV incidence fell by more than 25 percent, and estimated national prevalence remains below 1 percent. This figure is significantly lower than previous estimates that used only sentinel surveillance data but is considered more accurate because it is based on a national household survey (National Family Health Survey, 2005–2006, [NFHS-3]). It is also supported by expanded national surveillance efforts, which estimate a national adult prevalence of 0.29 percent (UNGASS, 2010).
Historically, USAID and U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief activities in India have emphasized HIV prevention in high-prevalence states and among at-risk groups; care and support for HIV-affected and -infected people; and engagement of the private sector in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Indian and U.S.-based companies, for example, are being encouraged to support HIV/AIDS programs for their workers and communities as part of an effort to develop a broader coalition of private partners to support national AIDS efforts. NFHS-3, conducted with U.S. Government assistance, was the first National Family Health Survey to include HIV/AIDS prevalence estimates among the general population, and it is now accepted as the key data source for providing new national HIV prevalence estimates. USAID has also focused on children affected by AIDS, HIV surveillance, and voluntary testing and counseling.
View the full USAID HIV/AIDS Health Profile for India - December 2010 [PDF,
215KB].
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