Young population undergoing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test in Jharkhand has increased around 60 per cent in past one year, according to the Jharkhand State Aids Control Society (JSACS). Interestingly, the increasing awareness for HIV test is marked in both unmarried and married Males and Females besides Transgenders.
“Among the 24 districts of Jharkhand, young clients between the age group of 25 to 34 years are turning up in large numbers for HIV test. Ranchi being the State capital is witnessing maximum youths in this cadre compared to other districts. It is a good indication of sensitisation on HIV diseases. Both unmarried and married ones are involved in the annual data released in March this year. Majority of these clients are males,” a JSACS official said requesting anonymity.
“Observing the increase from the side of youngsters, we are soon planning to conduct continuous awareness programmes on HIV diseases in colleges under Ranchi University and Sido Kanhu Murmu University. Conversations with university authorities regarding this issue is going on,” the official added.
In order to spread the awareness programmes in rural areas, JSACS will be organizing a state level folk media plan on August 7 with District Programme Officers (DPO) at Ranchi. A senior officer managing the folk media plan said, “DPOs have been instructed to locate rural hotspots wherein migration of villagers to other states is more. Jharkhand has still not reached in the vulnerable area category of HIV so we would like to maintain the healthy status.”
Also, he said, “We are glad that Adolescent Health Educational classes in schools and colleges are playing an effective tool. Earlier, youngsters especially in rural areas hesitated in coming forward for HIV testing.”
HIV infection transfers from a person to another through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate or breast milk resulting to progressive failure of the immune system. Scientific studies mention the average survival time of a person suffering with HIV is estimated to be about 9 to 11 years. Testing confirming the presence of this virus in a human body is done at free of cost in government based health centres.