HIV in India — A Complex Epidemic

Abstract

Since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was found in Chennai in 1986, India has had an AIDS epidemic.¹ In many respects, however, its extent and complexities have only recently begun to be appreciated (see map ). India has a population of 1.1 billion people — one sixth of the world's population — and is home to perhaps one of every eight people with HIV infection. According to Denis Broun, the country coordinator for the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in India, “It is not possible to control the overall HIV epidemic if it is out of control in India. Whatever success is recorded in India will immediately have an impact on the overall world situation just because of the sheer numbers.”