Marginalized, Indian wives face growing AIDS threat

[Guest guest]

Marginalized, Indian wives face growing AIDS threat

By Krittivas Mukherjee

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Indian housewife is facing a " tremendous

threat " from HIV/AIDS as age-old social customs and a lack of

awareness restrict access to protection from sexually-transmitted

infections, experts warned on Monday.

Recent studies carried out at clinics have revealed higher than

expected HIV infection rates among groups of previously deemed low-

risk women, such as monogamous housewives.

In India's deeply conservative and male-dominated society, women --

both married and engaged -- are prevented from actively protecting

their health when it comes to sex, the research shows.

" We need to expand the focus to include married, monogamous women

who may not perceive themselves to be at risk, but whose personal

risk is inextricably linked to the behavior of their husbands, " said

Suniti , of the Y.R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and

Education, a leading center monitoring

HIV/AIDS.

" As more and more women get infected, notions of risk group need to

be redefined to more accurately assess potential for HIV

infections. "

The surveys show that a majority of HIV-infected women did not

report a history of multiple partners, intravenous drug use or blood

transfusions, and appear to have been infected through sex with

their infected husbands.

's organization recently reported that in a study of 3,357

women more than 85 percent of those who tested positive had a single

sexual partner.

Experts say the Indian housewife's perception of the HIV risk she is

facing, and even her awareness of HIV/AIDS, may be low since

traditionally intervention programs have targeted high-risk

populations, such as sex workers and drug users.

" The housewife is under tremendous threat. It is now an established

fact in the high prevalence states. But we know nothing about the

low prevalence states, " said Akhila Sivadas, executive director of

Center for Advocacy and Research.

Last Month, UNAIDS, the U.N.'s AIDS prevention agency, said there

were an estimated 5.7 million Indians living with the deadly virus

at the end of 2005, more than in any other country and ahead of

South Africa's 5.5 million cases.

But the Indian authorities have dismissed the figure, saying the

number of infections stood at an estimated 5.2 million.

Experts say the number of people infected could quadruple within

five years and the World Bank warns HIV/AIDS will become the single

largest killer in India unless there is more progress on prevention.

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[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

This article make me feel that there is some merit of Goa government decision to

make pre-marital hiv screening mandatory. However, initially this should be made

voluntary with strong recommendations to get the pre-marital screening

accompanied by public education campaign.

As public health education campaign pick up, more and more people will come

forward voluntarily to ask for pre-marital testing. All these assuming that

testing will be done confidentially and providing appropriate care and/or

referral services to those found positive.

This will empower women and her parents too, to make a informed decision about

marriage proposal. No matter how best are laws, however, some people will have

way out with fabricated false report or some other corrupt practices. Even then,

I believe it will help large number of women in making informed decision and

help protect them from acquiring HIV from their spouses.

Dr. Naik

e-mail: <enaik@...>