AIDS red alert in Bengal's IT hub: Study

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Kolkata, Aug 2: If the country's IT capital Bangalore is the most vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS, Bengal's IT hub, Salt Lake's Sector-V, does not lag far behind.

The startling revelation came to the fore following the findings of a study by the state government's Health department, which had stated that the flying sex workers have a client base of mostly BPO executives, of whom 67 per cent do not practise safe sex.

The findings of the study have prompted National AIDS Control Organisation and West Bengal State HIV-AIDS Prevention and Control Society (WBSAPCS) to launch an intervention project in Salt Lake and adjoining areas.

The study also said 67 per cent of the sex workers do not use condoms and have low awareness levels, while 69 per cent respondents have never heard of sexually transmitted diseases.

Seventyfive per cent respondents are aged between 19 and 35 years, and six per cent are below 18.

The study said many of the sex workers comprise housewives and college students.

WBSAPCS Director and Special Secretary to the state Health department R S Shukla told UNI today that they with the help of a number of NGOs, they have launched a project to conduct awareness campaigns.

UNI

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