Kohima, Jan 8 (NationPress) The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (ages 15 to 49) in Nagaland stands at 1.36 percent, which is significantly above the national average of 0.2 percent, according to the state’s Economic Survey for 2023-24.
The survey indicates that among the overall population, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is 1.61 percent.
From 2006 to 2023, a total of 33,396 individuals in Nagaland have tested positive for HIV after screening approximately 1.6 million blood samples during this timeframe.
In the 2023-24 testing period, 1.17 percent of the blood samples analyzed were found to be HIV positive. Additionally, 14.83 percent of those who tested positive are receiving treatment with MBP Nevirapine.
Among children under the age of 14, 2.06 percent tested positive for HIV during 2023-24.
Of the children who tested positive, 53.70 percent were male, while 46.30 percent were female, as reported in the survey.
From October 2007 to November 2023, a total of 1,385 children under 14 years old have been diagnosed as HIV positive.
The Economic Survey indicates that 26,419 HIV-positive individuals are registered at the Antiretroviral Therapy Centre (ARTC), with 21,110 currently undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Sadly, 3,116 patients receiving ART have passed away.
The report also states that 6,205 males, 6,332 females, 12 transgender/transsexual individuals, and 748 children (including 370 girls) remain alive and are on ART.
According to the latest India HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 2.5 million individuals are living with HIV in India. However, due to extensive efforts, the adult HIV prevalence has reached 0.2 percent, with approximately 66,400 new annual HIV infections. The annual new infections have dropped by 44 percent since 2010, surpassing the global reduction rate of 39 percent.
