PANAJI
The provisional statistics for the just concluded 2024 have shown a marginal decline of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases and a more drastic drop in mortality with deaths from AIDS related diseases declining by almost half compared to the previous year.
However, the trend of more younger people testing positive as compared to older age brackets which emerged in 2023 continued to manifest itself in the 2024 numbers.
According to figures released by the Goa State AIDS Control Society, 240 new HIV cases were reported in 2024 which is slightly (11-odd per cent) lower than the 270 in 2023.
Mortality too dropped drastically. GSACs said 15 people died of AIDS related diseases in 2024 which is less than half the 32 deaths reported in 2023.
As of date, some 3,300-odd are living with HIV or AIDS who are registered for treatment at antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres in government facilities including the Goa Medical College and Hospital, the two district hospitals -- Asilo in Mapusa and Hospicio at Margao -- and the two sub-district hospitals at Chicalim and Ponda.
Of concern, however, remains the deviating trend witnessed since 2023 where among those testing positive for HIV, the younger population demographic (25-34 year age group) is the highest.
In the past for over a decade, the older 35-49 year age group was the most affected for successive years since 2010.
Also, the rising number of HIV cases in the teenage to early adulthood demographic (15 to 24 age group) is another trend that has begun worrying officials. The number of new HIV cases detected in this 15-24 age group was 16 (7.2%) in 2021 which drastically rose to 28 (11.6%) in 2022. The next year the figure was 32 (12.3%) and in 2024 it is more than 35 cases as per the latest compiled statistics which may be revised by GSACS.
As has always been the case, in 2024 too, heterosexual route of transmission due to 'unprotected sex' continues to be the single most dominant cause for HIV infection in Goa.
The other modes like use of infected syringes where for medical reasons or use of injectible narco-drugs remains negligible as per self admitted reasons, a GSACS official said.
