The HIV continues to be a global health problem and the prevention of this infection is a challenge to the Indian Government.
In Aligarh district 41% of children living in slums and 49% living on streets are suffering from malnutrition along with an alarming 38% of street children reported as HIV positive. Many of these children are thrown into the flesh trade.
According to the study of LATA organization and the health department of the Union Government on 560 children in the age group of 8 to 15 years, 68% were male and 32% female. 56% of boys are living on the streets while 44% are living in slums with families. Mostly these are a daily wager. This study reveals that 4700 children are living at railway & bus stations and Barchi bahadur area with their families. They are vulnerable to violence and abuse. Many them are forced into the flesh trade.
BB Gupta, General Secretary of LATA said that 21% of these children are found deficient in vitamins A, B, and iron.