The prevalence of HIV is known from Sentinel Surveillance System in Chennai City. The data from TamilNadu Sentinel Surveillance indicates that the mean value of prevalence among ANC, which was 1.5% in 2001, reached 0.17 in 2004.

The prevalence of HIV among people with STI went up from 10.5% in 2001 to 14.8% in 2002 and has reached 7.2% in 2003. While the prevalence among IVDU’s went up from 24.56% to 33.8% during 2001-2002 has reached 63.8% in 2003. Though the prevalence of HIV among antenatal mothers has reached baseline reflecting prevalence among general population is under control it is to be taken cautiously and the reduction in the prevalence is to be sustained for a minimum of three consecutive sentinel surveillance for epidemiological significance.

As for the mode of transmission is concerned, heterosexuals are the predominant mode of transmission in the state, accounting for as high as 95.3%. commercial sex workers, truckers, IDU’s, MSM are the targeted high risk groups in the state, while the groups such as migrant population, slum dwellers, street children, hotel workers, youth and adolescents have been identified as most vulnerable groups.

Statistics