Condom usage up in AP : Official

Hyderabad, Jul 7 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS) Director Ashok Kumar today said the usage of condoms has increased after the government launched several programmes, including distribution of condoms at public places to prevent spread of AIDS in the state.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Kumar said 34 lakh condoms were distributed during 2006-07, against 20 lakh in the corresponding year. More than 1.5 lakh female condoms were distributed in the state, the first state in the country to do so.

Observing that AIDS prevalence had reduced to 1.06 per cent this year as against 2 per cent last year, he said at present, 20,000 AIDS patients were undergoing treatment in hospitals.

Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) centres would be established in all districts by the first week of next month, which would provide medical treatment to HIV-infected patients.

UNI