Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) data shows that during the first half of 2023, 119 instances of HIV infections were reported in Goa.
From January through June 2023, 17,030 tests for HIV/AIDS were performed in Goa, and the positivity rate is at 0.17%, according to GSACS.
In terms of the total number of HIV+ cases up until the end of June, Bardez taluka had the greatest number with 26 cases (or 23.2%), followed by Mormugao with 17 cases (or 15.1%). There were no HIV infections in the talukas of Quepem or Canacona.
With 110 cases (98.2%) of these cases, the sexual route was the most common method of transmission.
According to the GSACS, HIV infection is widespread throughout Goa, with the majority of cases being reported in the four coastal talukas of Mormugao (18.1%), Salcete (17.3%), Bardez (21%) and Tiswadi (10.3%) in South Goa and North Goa (10.3%) in 2022. Of the 242 cases reported, 16.5% were from other states and also foreigners, among other groups.
70.6% of all HIV infections found in 2022 were in people between the ages of 15 and 49.
According to the report, “In 2022, out of the total female infected cases, nearly 21% belong to the age group 15-34 years, whereas around 40% of the infected males, out of the total male infected, belonged to this age group,” it added. “Out of the total male and female cases detected, over 34.4% males and about 37% females were found infected.”
According to GSACS, perinatal transmission accounted for 4% to 8% of all transmissions between 1999 and 2022, with sexual transmission accounting for 83% to 96% of all transmissions.
“Transmission through blood and blood products, as well as infected syringes and needles, is negligible in Goa,” according to GSACS.
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