Over 56,000 in Karnataka unaware of HIV status; dating apps pose new challenge to tracing infections
More than 56,000 people in Karnataka are estimated to be living with HIV without knowing their status, the highest such number among States in the
More than 56,000 people in Karnataka are estimated to be living with HIV without knowing their status, the highest such number among States in the country. This is posing a major challenge to the State’s HIV control programme despite free testing and treatment services being widely available, with the changing nature of sexual networks adding to the complexity. As per estimates from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), 56,406 people are unaware of their HIV-positive status, making early diagnosis and linkage to treatment a key public health priority. While over two lakh people are already receiving treatment, officials said the focus is now on identifying those who remain outside the healthcare system. Dating applications KSAPS Project Director Padma Basavanthappa told The Hindu that one of the biggest hurdles is the changing nature of sexual networks, with increasing numbers of people meeting partners through dating apps. “Earlier, when a person tested HIV positive, we could counsel them and identify their sexual partners for testing.
Today, many people meet through dating apps or casual encounters and often do not know each other’s identities. This makes contact tracing extremely difficult,” she said. She said the challenge was particularly acute in Bengaluru because of its highly mobile population and the anonymity offered by digital platforms. No voluntary testing Basavanthappa said the problem was compounded by the reluctance of people to voluntarily undergo HIV testing. “People still do not walk into testing centres on their own. Many believe they are not at risk, while others avoid testing because they fear stigma and discrimination,” she said, pointing out that awareness about HIV transmission also remained inadequate, particularly among young people. “Many young men are still unaware that unprotected sex between men also carries the risk of HIV transmission. Safe sex messages have to reach everyone irrespective of sexual orientation,” she said, stressing that prevention messages should focus on all forms of unprotected sex.
MAS campaign To address the gap, KSAPS has launched the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign, centred around the message “Know Your Status.” As part of the campaign, initiated by the AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), KSAPS has introduced a BreakFree QR code that links users to a confidential self-risk assessment, nearby HIV testing centres and counsellors. The self-assessment tool on asks users a series of questions to determine whether they may be at risk and guides them to appropriate services while protecting their identity under the provisions of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, which mandates confidentiality. Beyond hospitals The campaign is also expanding beyond hospitals into engineering and medical colleges, workplaces, industries and transport hubs. Red Ribbon Clubs in colleges are being used to conduct debates, skits and awareness activities, while integrated health camps are being organised to encourage people to seek HIV testing alongside other health services. KSAPS is also adapting its outreach strategies to the digital era by engaging peer educators to connect with vulnerable groups through online platforms and dating applications.
The BriefWire