A new data released by Nagaland State Aids Control Society (NSACS) has revealed that an estimated adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence percentage of Nagaland has gone down from 0.98 in 2007 to 0.78 in 2015.
According to NSACS data, Dimapur recorded highest number of 741 HIV-positive cases against 1,9769 tested during April 2015-March 2016, followed by Kohima with 281 cases against 12,613 tested, Tuensang with 166 cases against 10,478 tested and Mokokchung with 110 against 13,720 tested.
Presenting an “Overview of HIV & AIDS programme in the state” at the “State Level Workshop on HIV & AIDS with Law Enforcement Department” at PHQ conference hall here on Monday, NSACS project director, Dr. Meguosilie Kire, pointed out that 90% of HIV transmission was through sexual route, 5% through parent to child, 3% not specified or unknown, 2% through needle and syringe and 0% through blood to blood, recorded during April 2015-March 2016.
In the same year, according to age wise distribution of HIV positive in Nagaland, he informed that 44% belonged to 25-34 years of age, 30% to 35-49 years of age, 15% to 15-24 years of age, 6% to below 14 years of age and 5% to above 50 years of age.
Dr. Kire stated that during April 2006-March 2015, Dimapur recorded highest with 6,866 HIV positive cases, followed by Kohima with 2,382 cases, Tuensang with 2,241 cases and Mokokchung with 1184 cases. He also informed that cumulative number of HIV positive cases in Nagaland since 1999 was 19,606 against 8,47,842 tested.
Speaking as chief guest, Nagaland DGP, L.L. Doungel, said the stigma and social abhorrence for HIV & AIDS in Nagaland was lesser today. However, he said HIV & AIDS has to be fought collectively as a social burden. Highlighting criminal and legal angle in treating consumers of narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, he asked police personnel to treat the offenders differently from the way other criminals were treated, as the offender was also a victim. Stating that punitive action alone was not sufficient to control substance abuse, DGP said it was essential to understand the root cause of the problem.
HIV SCENARIO DISTRICT WISE
Adult HIV Prevalence rate :
HIV/AIDS Status 0.78%General Population
Prevalence rate(HSS): 0.88%
DistrictApril 2006to March 2015April 2015 to
March 2016
TestedPositiveTestedPositive%
Dimapur1230366866197697413.75
Kohima885372382126132812.23
Tuensang800022241104781661.58
Kiphire 227464033268501.53
Phek339812234516491.09
Peren314983185562520.93
Mokokchung1114061184137201100.80
Zunheboto476952425111370.72
Wokha575012187350290.39
Longleng1940259179860.33
Mon655091418870160.18
Cumulative since 1999Tested847842
Positive19606
Delivering an “introduction to FHI 360 Project Sunrise and its objectives”, FHI 360 country director, Dr. Bitra George, said focus key population of project sunrise was people who inject drugs (PWID) while its geographical focus was on high burden locations of North East states.
Dr. Bitra said that Dimapur Central jail has been selected for HIV intervention. Further, he appealed to the church to impart advocacy for larger social sensitization of HIV & AIDS across the state.
The session was followed by an open discussion and formulation of action plan for Nagaland. The programme, chaired by Kripa Foundation chairman, Dr. P Ngully, was organized by Kripa Foundation, FHI 360, NSACS and Nagaland Police Department.