NEW DELHI(PTI):The spread of the AIDS virus among prostitutes in Bombay has slowed down, a positive sign in an otherwise still grim AIDS scenario in the country.
The Indian Health Organization (THO) says the doubling time for AIDS infection among prostitutes in Bombay has gone up from eight months to two years, an indication that the spread of virus has slowed down.
The doubling time which was eight months in 1989, increased to one year in 1990 and18 months in 1991. It now stands at two years, THO said. About 40% of commercial sex workers in Bombay are believed to be infected with the AIDS virus.
The IHO initiated “Saheli project” in which prostitutes are trained in AIDS awareness and prevention measures has played a key role in slowing down the spread of AIDS in this community, [HO officials claim.
Health authorities believe at least a million people are infected with the AIDS causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in India. Sexual intercourse has been a major route for HIV spread in most parts of India.
The Saheli project initiated in Pune exactly two years ago has now been extended to Bombay, Kolhapur, and Sangli in Maharashtra.
Covering over 6000 commercial sex workers, Saheli has emerged as a model AIDS prevention program.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 3, 1993
