Two years after the first-of-its-kind rural research clinic of the National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) was set up at Karad in Satara, scientists and researchers studying the pattern of spread of HIV and associated diseases have a clearer picture of high-risk and vulnerable groups in rural pockets. Researchers conducting a mapping exercise to identify groups and hotspots that accelerate spread of the disease have found at least 15 groups vulnerable to HIV, including some folk dance artistes (Tamasha, Lavani) and migrants in rural areas. The researchers studied data from 11 tehsils of the district, and identified 117 hotspots for spread of the disease. Scientists have conducted a comprehensive situational analysis covering all 11 tehsils of Satara to understand the status of the district vis-à-vis infant and maternal mortality, reproductive child health services, HIV/AIDS, TB, and sexually transmitted disease, Dr Seema Sahay, senior scientist with NARI told The Sunday Express. The clinic, the NARI-AIDS Rural Research Initiative in Maharashtra (N-ARRIM), was set up in collaboration with the Satara medical college, after high HIV prevalence in certain rural and semi-urban pockets. The rural research facility is aimed at developing infrastructure and invigorating research capacities, explained Dr R S Paranjape, a senior scientist with NARI. To build a partnership with local stakeholders, there is a Community Advisory Board (CAB) of 8 members from diverse fields in Satara district. “The situational analysis has given us a lead in pursuing the mapping exercise to understand high-risk and vulnerable pockets,” Sahay added. The mapping aims at identifying location of high-risk groups in the district and curbing rapid spread of HIV, through prevention and control measures. “We won’t term some groups as high risk, but put them as vulnerable to avoid stigma and ensure they are not discriminated agains,” a scientist said when they found that among some vulnerable groups were folk dancers (Tamasha, Lavani) and migrant families. The future plan is to initiate studies to identify disease burden and effectiveness of implementation of various programmes in the district. Our emphasis could be on creating a data base,” the scientist added.
