Dimapur has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases in Nagaland.
The prevalence of HIV cases in Dimapur is 5.15 per cent followed by Tuensang and Kohima with 2.53 per cent and 2.52 per cent respectively, according to data available from April 2006 to May 2018.
This was stated by Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) state consultant Dr Vinito L Chishi while addressing students and faculty at an HIV&AIDS advocacy programme held at Withee Bible College in Darogajan of Dimapur district on Wednesday.
Chishi said out of the 1 88,166 people screened for HIV in Dimapur between April 2006 and May 2018, 9,694 tested positive.
He further added that out of the 10,46,767 blood samples tested in Nagaland till May this year, 23,491 tested positive for HIV.
According to data available, 73 per cent of those infected with HIV in Nagaland are between the age group of 25 to 49 years.
Notably, 90 per cent of the transmission of the deadly virus is via sexual intercourse, followed by mother to child transmission which accounts for a negligible six per cent.
Chishi further said that 17,301 affected patients had registered for antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2004, but only 11,753 of them started the therapy.
Further, 1,561 of them died while on ART treatment and 7,436, which also include children are currently on ART provided by the government.
The programme was organized by faculty and students of Withee Bible College.