New Book: HIV Education and Prevention

November 10, 2001

HIV Education and Prevention by Gracious .Shipra Publications,

Delhi. Pages 252.: Rs 495.

AIDS or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome was shrouded in half-

truths and misinformation for a pretty long time. There was this smug

belief that this could never happen in India and only in

the " promiscuous " West or the vulnerable Africa would this incurable

malady strike. It was also associated with homosexuality and was

considered highly contagious. Though some of the beliefs were partly

true, it was wrong to presume that AIDS would never strike in India.

Today the myth has exploded wshen we learn that in fact India has one

of the largest numbers of people infected with the human

immunodeficiency virus or HIV that causes AIDS.

Says , " According to the United Nation's Programme on HIV/AIDS

India already has more HIV infected people than any other country in

the world…India has the dubious distinction of becoming the AIDS

capital of the 21st century… "

The author avers that the HIV virus belongs to the family of

retroviruses, which are simple microscopic organisms dependent on a

host for reproduction. It is too fragile to survive for long outside

the human body. Thus it is not contagious and cannot be passed from

one person to another like the influenza virus. The HIV virus lacks

independent metabolism and cannot grow without energy and nutrients

supplied by a host cell. But despite its fragility, the HIV is " a

deadly virus, which can remain in the body for several years before

causing damage to the immune defence system… "

The author points out that an infected individual can lead

a " perfectly normal " life for years together.

This book consists of eight chapters that deal with the detection of

the virus, prevention of infection, identification of vulnerable

groups of people, etc. Chapter seven is especially informative as it

deals with curriculum development on AIDS, sex, and family life

education. It also has a look at the existing education programme in

the country. It cites IGNOU as a model in this regard.

It is a thought provoking attempt by Gracious . This volume

will certainly prove invaluable to educationists as well as to those

who want to have information on the deadly HIV/AIDS phenomenon.

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