AEGiS-15IAC: IDU'S and its relation with AIDS epidemic in north eastern Indian region: A social exploration.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

IDU'S and its relation with AIDS epidemic in north eastern Indian region: A social exploration.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10406)

Singh KK, Mishra S
Department of Statistics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

ISSUES: AIDS can be perceived as human made catastrophe which emerged as fatal challenge to be faced by all. The epidemic has created havoc and made the various pockets where it is gaining a full bloom. North Eastern Indian region is one such pocket where the problem has reached to it's paramount. Being close to notorious "Golden Triangle" (Myanmar, Thailand and Laos) where more than 20% world's heroin drugs are produced, Manipur became a highest "User State" in India.

DESCRIPTION: Pure heroin in the injectable form is easily available everywhere in the region. That was a period when AIDS was making its way in the various parts of the world it took in its grip in the region where some social problems were already in existence such as poverty, prostitution, illiteracy, drug addiction imbalanced gender rights and meager mass media exposure. As far as sero-positive rate is concerned Manipur ranks highest in India even leaving behind Maharastra and Tamil Nadu. Lesson learned: There is a clear-cut nexus between Injecting Drug Users and HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region. A major proportion of efficient population is indulged in injecting drug using even, the children aged 15-16 are also reportedly using the injecting drugs. Injecting drug users are intermingled in the general masses in such a way that it is quite difficult to assess them. Due to feckless social responsibility of civil society several myths and stigma associated with AIDS making the situation more worsening and pathetic.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Interpersonal communication strategies and counseling required: issues that need to be addressed in counseling sessions include emotional and crisis counseling, problem solving, decision making, promoting behavioral changes and enhancing the quality of life by providing social infrastructure and inclusion of parallel community based programmes. The Government has to think again to remove this epidemic setting a political agenda to counter the menace.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Disease Outbreaks, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, HIV Infections, HIV Seroprevalence, Prostitution, Substance-Related Disorders, Social Problems, Counseling, Heroin, India, Research, Mass Media, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Humans, Child, therapy, methods, organization & administration

040711
D10406