<p>Kalaburagi: The HIV test positive rate (TPR) in Karnataka has been declining for the last one decade. The positive rate at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) has dropped from 1.77 per cent in 2013-14 to 0.33 per cent in 2024-25 (till October). However, this is slightly higher than the national average of 0.22 per cent.</p>.<p>Karnataka is among the top three states with the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) after neighbouring Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.</p>.<p>Out of 23,15,909 general clients counselled and tested this year, 7,720 tested positive. The rate of positive cases among women under antenatal care (ANC) reduced from 0.6 per cent to 0.3 per cent over the last five years.</p>.<p>According to data from Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), a total of 1,90,560 people are undergoing antiretroviral therapy in the state.</p>.<p>The aggressive antenatal care testing, increase in the number of tests, telemedicine activities and various awareness drives have helped reduce positive rates.</p>.<p>The state has 3,98,157 cumulative number of HIV cases registered at ART centres till October 2024. As many as 7,720 people tested positive in 2024-25 with Bengaluru (762), Belagavi (633), Bagalkot (492), BBMP (543) Mysuru (464) registering a high number of cases.</p>.Researchers from JNCASR find better detection route for mpox, HIV-1.<p>Over 57 per cent of the people living with HIV are in the age group of 31 to 50 years and around 30 per cent are above fifty years of age. The cases are high in Mudhol, Mahalingapura, Jamkhandi, Banahatti, Rabakavi and Teradal of Bagalkot district. Several NGOs have been working in the district for several years to tackle the disease.</p>.<p>“Migrant workers from Miraj, Sangli and other parts of neighbouring Maharashtra state visit the district for sugarcane harvesting along the Krishna river belt. The high risk behavior among these populations has contributed to the rise in HIV cases. Now, it has come down slightly after extensive awareness campaigns and index testing. We have also launched special drives in colleges through quiz, sports and other competitions,” Bagalkot District AIDS Control officer and DHO Dr Suvarna Kulkarni said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society project director Nagaraj N M said, “The districts where high HIV cases are prevalent are situated on the National Highways and truck drivers are at a high risk of the infection due to unprotected sex. We have approached all platforms including dating apps and other social media outlets to create awareness apart from increasing the medical infrastructure required to curb it.”</p>
<p>Kalaburagi: The HIV test positive rate (TPR) in Karnataka has been declining for the last one decade. The positive rate at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) has dropped from 1.77 per cent in 2013-14 to 0.33 per cent in 2024-25 (till October). However, this is slightly higher than the national average of 0.22 per cent.</p>.<p>Karnataka is among the top three states with the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) after neighbouring Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.</p>.<p>Out of 23,15,909 general clients counselled and tested this year, 7,720 tested positive. The rate of positive cases among women under antenatal care (ANC) reduced from 0.6 per cent to 0.3 per cent over the last five years.</p>.<p>According to data from Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), a total of 1,90,560 people are undergoing antiretroviral therapy in the state.</p>.<p>The aggressive antenatal care testing, increase in the number of tests, telemedicine activities and various awareness drives have helped reduce positive rates.</p>.<p>The state has 3,98,157 cumulative number of HIV cases registered at ART centres till October 2024. As many as 7,720 people tested positive in 2024-25 with Bengaluru (762), Belagavi (633), Bagalkot (492), BBMP (543) Mysuru (464) registering a high number of cases.</p>.Researchers from JNCASR find better detection route for mpox, HIV-1.<p>Over 57 per cent of the people living with HIV are in the age group of 31 to 50 years and around 30 per cent are above fifty years of age. The cases are high in Mudhol, Mahalingapura, Jamkhandi, Banahatti, Rabakavi and Teradal of Bagalkot district. Several NGOs have been working in the district for several years to tackle the disease.</p>.<p>“Migrant workers from Miraj, Sangli and other parts of neighbouring Maharashtra state visit the district for sugarcane harvesting along the Krishna river belt. The high risk behavior among these populations has contributed to the rise in HIV cases. Now, it has come down slightly after extensive awareness campaigns and index testing. We have also launched special drives in colleges through quiz, sports and other competitions,” Bagalkot District AIDS Control officer and DHO Dr Suvarna Kulkarni said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society project director Nagaraj N M said, “The districts where high HIV cases are prevalent are situated on the National Highways and truck drivers are at a high risk of the infection due to unprotected sex. We have approached all platforms including dating apps and other social media outlets to create awareness apart from increasing the medical infrastructure required to curb it.”</p>