Study rings HIV alarm for Kolkata

KOLKATA: The alarm bells are ringing loud. The HIV virus has hit Kolkata hard. A first-of-its-kind crosssectional statewide survey carried out among highrisk groups has come as a rude shock.
Overturning the commonly held perception of West Bengal being a low HIV prevalence state, a survey by the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) says Kolkata is all set to acquire the features of a high HIV prevalence area.
Worse, West Bengal is now in the the league of medium HIV prevalent states with Darjeeling having the highest HIV prevalence rate of 15.6%, says the study. Comparatively, Kolkata is better off at 9.6%. The report has been forwarded to National Aids Control Organisation (Naco), WHO and the state government as well.
Assistant director of NICED's epidemiology division, Dr Kamalesh Sarkar,-- who headed the survey-- said, "The findings are extremely disturbing. Bengal has long been considered a low HIV prevalent state.
However, figures show that we have already entered the medium prevalence zone with a prevalence of 5.6%. Kolkata stands at the threshold of high-prevalence zone. If proper targeted intervention projects are not implemented, HIV will assume enormous proportions."
The number of HIV positive persons per 100 in the high-risk group (read sex workers) in a particular year forms the base for calculation of HIV prevalence rate according to NACO guidelines.
If the count is less than five, then a particular area is classified as a low prevalence zone, whereas, if it is more than five but less than 10, it is categorised as a medium prevalence zone. A prevalence rate of 10% or more puts an area in the high HIV prevalence group.
Nineteen districts were initially categorised into high, medium and low prevalent districts based on the estimated number of sex workers in each district.
While Kolkata and Darjeeling were chosen from among the high prevalent districts, East Midnapore and North 24-Parganas were chosen to represent medium prevalence zones. Murshidabad and Purulia were chosen as low prevalent districts.Over 11% sex workers tested positive for venereal diseases.