factors that increase risk for HIV Aids

HIV/ AIDS has killed more than 25 million people in the past 3 decades. But the current statistics are much more frightening. It has been estimated that there are more than 34 million people all around the world living with HIV infection. One of the main reasons why HIV/AIDS is so widespread is the lack the knowledge about risk factors and transmission of HIV. This lack of knowledge is not restricted to people living in remote areas. The highly educated population also seem equally illiterate when it comes to HIV. Maybe in the future we could have a cure for HIV but until then knowing the risk factors is the best way to stay away from HIV.

1. Having unprotected sex: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the causative agent of AIDS, a disease that completely destroys the immune system of the body, making the infected person susceptible to several other diseases. HIV circulates throughout the body via the blood stream. It is also present in sexual fluids (semen and vaginal secretions). Therefore, the primary risk factor for acquiring the infection is having unprotected sex. This includes vaginal, oral as well as anal intercourse. The risk is highest in anal intercourse followed by vaginal and lastly oral intercourse.

2. Multiple sex partners: Having unprotected sex puts you at a risk of HIV but with multiple sex partners the risk almost doubles. Multiple sex partners increase your chances of having intercourse with an infected individual.

3. Other sexually transmitted infections: Not many people know that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like syphilis, herpes and gonorrhea increase the risk of contracting HIV. The risk of HIV in individuals earlier infected with an STD is 2-5 times more compared to a person without an STD. Studies suggest that sexually transmitted diseases cause certain changes in the genital tissues, increasing the susceptibility of HIV transmission.

4. Transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products: Whether you were transfused blood during a surgery or are a hemophiliac who needs frequent blood transfusion, your chances of contracting HIV are high if the transfused blood is not tested for HIV. As a standard in medical practice, blood is always tested before a transfusion but recently several cases of HIV due to transfusion of infected blood have been noticed. 

5. Contaminated syringes and needles: Use of unsterilised syringes is still practised in various parts of developing countries, including India. According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) about 5 percent of HIV infections took place due to unsafe injection practices in the year 2002. And, even today the use of unsafe injections is quite rampant. This even includes vaccination given to children.

6. Drug abuse: If you’re injecting drugs like ketamine, GHB and poppers intravenously, you are more likely to get infected with  HIV. These drugs affect you brain and impair your decision making ability. So you’re more likely to share needles and have unprotected sex.

7. Unsafe piercings: If you’re fond of body piercings and tattooing, you should be aware that you are at a higher risk of HIV. The needles used in these processes could be contaminated or infected with HIV. Ensure that you get piercing and tattooing done from a trained professional.

8. Negligence in medical practice: All health professionals and health care workers including nurses, doctors, laboratory analysts and pathologists, who have to handle blood samples of patients on a daily basis, are at a risk of HIV if they fail to take necessary precautions and do not follow medical hygienic practices. Handling samples without wearing gloves, improper disinfection and discarding methodology, all can increase your high risk of HIV.

9. Mother-to-child HIV risk: Women with HIV can pass on the virus to their child during pregnancy. Mother-to-child transmission of virus can also take place through breast-feeding because breast milk in an infected mother has high viral load.

Soluble tampons will prevent HIV spread

According to a research that appeared in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a soluble tampon-like material could provide protection against HIV.

The researchers developed a material synthesised by the process of electrospinning, which has the ability to carry a heavy load of medicine, and can dissolve and release the medicine after coming in contact with moisture. The study is based on the research conducted at University of Washington’s (UW’s) Department of Bioengineering in 2012.

Electrospinning is a process in which charged fluid containing polymers and antiretroviral drugs is projected through an electric field using a syringe. This electric field causes the jet of charged liquid to disperse into minute fibres, each measuring between 100 to several thousand nanometres. These fibres are made to landed on a collecting plate and are combined to form a stretchy fabric. The final product or fabric has the ability to block sperms as well as carry and release contraceptives and antiviral agents. Because certain elements of the material, such as the solubility, strength and size of the fibres, can be controlled, the researchers said that it may prove more versatile than other anti-HIV technologies currently in development.

According to the team the electrospun material has the ability to carry a large load of maraviroc, an antiretroviral drug used in HIV treatment. In their experimentation, the process dissolved one of the samples within minutes, offering a potential application to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Another sample dissolved over a period of several days. This could be useful for delivering birth-control pills and anti-HIV medicines.

Condoms, sex taboo no more at Jamia Millia

Not so long ago, the mere mention of the word "sex" would raise eyebrows and spark a debate in Jamia Millia Islamia, recall old-timers at the 90-year-old university. Today, however, students freely walk up to a university facility to collect condoms.



The transformation in outlook towards sex-related issues has occurred partly because the university has taken the lead in setting up a unique health centre, which not only creates awareness about sex-related health problems like HIV/AIDS but also educates students on personal hygiene.

"Students used to shy away from any workshop that was related to physical awareness or sex education for that matter," Abid Hussain, counsellor at the Youth Friendly Health Care (YFHC) centre in Jamia Millia Islamia, told IANS.

"But the situation has changed to a great degree. Today students come and ask for condoms without any hesitation. They want to know about their safety and are ready to take precautions. Self-awareness is on the rise," added Hussain.



What started with small Red Ribbon clubs and weekly National Service Scheme (NSS) workshops is now a path-breaking health-awareness hub in the university, he said.

The centre's main aim is to promote youth health on the campus and create awareness about prevention of HIV/AIDS. In 2009-10, there were 7,290 people living with AIDS in the national capital; the disease affects 2.5 million people in India.



The centre has already reached out to nearly 14,000 young people studying in the sprawling campus of Jamia in the Okhla area of south Delhi.

"From holding private counselling sessions on HIV/AIDS to giving condoms to students, this centre is creating awareness in every possible way," said Hussain, adding that on an average 10-15 students visit it daily.

The centre was inaugurated by Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia Aug 12, celebrated as the International Youth Day. It was opened in collaboration with the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS), under the Delhi government.

Doctors and youth consultants are available round-the-clock for personal counselling session with any of its 16,000 students.

"We ensure that every student's privacy is respected. Confidentiality is a prime issue," added Hussain.



Condoms, sex issues taboo no more at Jamia Millia

Seeing the popularity of the centre, the authorities are now planning to reach out to more and more students. One way is by roping in the university's Red Ribbon clubs.

The centre also shares a link with a toll-free helpline that provides guidance on teenage problems, puberty and other matters of reproductive health.

Emphasising the importance of opening such a centre in the university, Faizi O. Hashmi, project director of the DSACS, said: "The aim was to provide clinical services to students on campus and simultaneously disseminate information pertaining to health and youth awareness
programmes. It's happening now."

The Delhi unit is already running 94 integrated counselling test centres, nine anti-retroviral treatment centres and five drop-in centres for those seeking medical help on HIV/AIDS in the city. This is their first initiative with a university, he said.




According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) report for 2008-09, over 35 percent of all reported AIDS cases in India occur among young people in the age group of 15-24 years, making the group highly vulnerable.

Unprotected sex is suggested to be the prime reason for the disease and also the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

"Students want awareness to be presented in an interesting way. So we combine youth health seminars with vocational trainings such as public speaking and job-oriented workshops," Tasveer Khan, who has been organising workshops for the Jamia centre, told IANS.





Coming in soon at the YFHC is an audio-visual room that would screen documentaries and create awareness through various other multimedia tools. The counsellor's room also provides literature on youth health and AIDS awareness.

Students also have a word of praise for the centre.

Anjali Arora, a law student in Jamia, told IANS: "We had an hour-long session on public speaking in the centre last week and there was a short skit on HIV prevention also."

"It actually made me feel responsible towards my safety and health," she added.

Source: IANS