One of every 10 tested for HIV in Bhiwandi found positive: Study

Thane: One out of every 10 Bhiwandi resident who got himself checked for HIV this year tested positive for the infection, records stated. Between April and October this year, 68,232 people got themselves tested for HIV in Thane district and of them, 1,410 were tested positive.
The density in Bhiwandi was high, as of the 2,064 people who underwent tests, 198 tested positive, revealed a study by the State AIDS Control Society (SACS).This is also the highest density of HIV positive patients in Thane district, said health officials. Experts cited lack of awareness among migrant and labour population in the township to be responsible for the numbers.
Ulhasnagar was second with 5.33% of 4,428 people tested positive for HIV. Thane showed a meagre rate of 1.93%, while Navi Mumbai recorded 2.34%. Mokhada registered the lowest figure with only one out of 1,359 people testing positive between April and September.
SACS officials said they will start more programmes. “The city has a high labour population. Also, there are a number of red-light areas in industrial zones. Awareness campaigns have had little effect as most people here are migrants,” said Ratan Gadhave, programme officer, district AIDS prevention & control unit, Thane.