AEGiS-15IAC: Sentinel surveillance: An indicator to study trend of HIV epidemic in State of Rajasthan.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Sentinel surveillance: An indicator to study trend of HIV epidemic in State of Rajasthan.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10177)

Sharma A
Rajasthan State AIDS Control Society, Jaipur, India

ISSUES: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in India represents a serious public health problem. The presence of the infection in all parts of the country has shown a predictable phenomena of the spread of infection from urban to rural areas and from High Risk Population to general population like housewives.

DESCRIPTION: To study the trend & dynamics of HIV infection Sentinel Surveillance was started in the state of Rajasthan in the year 1998. Few Reporting units were selected to participate in the process of Surveillance. These chosen units did repeated data collection on selected groups within the population. It is being organised every year from 1st Aug. to 31st Oct. till 2003. Unlinked anonymous blood samples were collected from STD & ANC clinic attendees & tested to know HIV trend. Lessions Learned: The reports collected from STD & ANC sites for the consecutive7years (from 1996 - 2003) have helped immensely helped in forecasting trends in various Risk groups. Rajasthan although categorised as a low endemic State is also showing a gradual but sustained increase in HIV infection in high risk group with a medain valueof 4.26 to 6.12 in the last round (2003) (Outcome Indicator)along with a sustain median value in low risk behaviour groups from 0.29 to 0.25(Outcome Indicator)

RECOMMENDATIONS: A sustain value (< 1%) in sero prevalence of HIV infection in Low Risk Behaviour group indicates a positive impact of the strategies adopted under the HIV/AIDS Control Programme. Simaltaneously It indicates a possible spread of Infection in this group in the years to come while an increasing prevalence in high risk groups is of concern & it demands Universal Coverage of all High Risk Groups for BCCs, Enhanced linkages with NGOs, VCTCs and integration of STI services at the primary health care levels.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Sentinel Surveillance, HIV Infections, Disease Outbreaks, Prevalence, Risk-Taking, HIV Seroprevalence, HIV Antibodies, Counseling, Communicable Diseases, India, trends, immunology, organization & administration

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