Demography India Volume 20, No. 2 (1991)

From the Chief Editor’s Desk

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has finally arrived in India and spread-"^^ ing rapidly. According to the latest estimate, there are about 11,000 confirmed cases of AIDS in the country. Unofficial estimates are much higher. Centre of AIDS Research and Control estimates that by 1995, there will be at least 50,000 full-blown cases of AIDS. Available statistics confirm that AIDS is spreading at an alarming rate, both in number and geographical spread. Tor example, sero-positivity rate increased from 2.5 per 1000 people tested in 1986 to 3.5 in 1988,5.2 in 1990 and 7.2 in 1992. Similarly, while in 1986, AIDS cases were reported from 8 states in 1992 it has been reported from 21 states. As presently there is no proven therapy to cure patients suffering from AIDS, the best alternative is to prevent and control the spread of the disease. If the spread of AIDS in India is not stopped it would be disastrous for the country. While medical experts, epidemiologists and media experts are getting together to discuss how they could contribute in arresting spread of the disease, we demographers and social scientists could also play a significant role by projecting social, demographic and economic consequences of the disease. These studies would provide valuable information to the programme managers for their planning exercise, particularly for those who are responsible for the AIDS control programme.

Demography India encourages contributors to write papers on AIDS covering some of the aspects mentioned above. Yet another area which needs attention of the contributors is sexual behaviour which has major bearing on the spread of AIDS. This is particularly important in the Indian context where AIDS infection is spreading mainly through heterosexuality. Also, as it is now becoming clear that having promiscuous sex is not confined only to migrant labourers, truckers, students and slum dwellers but is also quite frequent in both upper and upper middle classes and among adolescent boys and girls.

In this issue we are publishing two articles, one each on woman's reproductive health and health financing. Both of these topics are crucial and we look forward to receiving more articles on these subjects.With this issue of Demography India, the backlog has been largely cleared. It is our endeavor that by the end of 1993 no backlog will remain. For this we need your support, good wishes and of course contribution on good policy relevant papers.

We wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year.

M. E. Khan
Chief Editor, Demography India