Stigma - a stumbling block in controlling the HIV epidemic

Shobha Shukla, CNS Columnist
(based on inputs from a panel discussion on HIV and stigma held at International Conference on Emerging Frontiers and Challenges in Management and Control of STIs and HIV, organized by National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (Indian Council of Medical Research) and MGM Institute of Health Sciences --Navi Mumbai):

The word stigma implies a mark or tattoo that was cut or burned into the skin of criminals, slaves, and traitors to visibly identify them as blemished or morally polluted persons. They were to be shunned especially in public places. Stigma is a social dichotomy where social perceptions are divided between us and them.

Regular cervical cancer screening, vaccination save lives

Bobby Ramakant, CNS Special Correspondent
Cervical cancer, a preventable cancer, continues to be the second most common cancer among women globally. Scientists and researchers from around the world brainstormed in sessions on cervical cancer management and control at the International Conference on "Emerging Frontiers and Challenges in Management and Control of STIs and HIV" organized by National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and MGM Institute of Health Sciences.

After years of neglect, India’s oldest public health programme in spotlight

Bobby Ramakant, CNS Correspondent
India’s first (and oldest) public health programme was on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since it became an independent republic. But as the years rolled on the programme lost its steam. Only recently it was merged with the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) up to district level and with National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for sub-district programmes.

Translational Research For The Benefit Of Public Health

Shobha Shukla, CNS Columnist
Translational research is scientific research that helps to make findings from basic science useful for improving human health and well-being. It is basically a three steps process: (i) doing laboratory research on a medical issue like cause of a medical condition or a specific treatment (ii) studying the efficacy of positive research findings through clinical trials on human volunteers, and (iii) finally making available the findings to the general population in the form of treatment.

Coordinated response for control of STIs is lacking

Shobha Shukla, CNS Columnist 
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, are known to be primarily transmitted through sexual route which has created a major impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. They are caused by viruses, bacteria or parasitic microorganisms that are transmitted through sexual activity with an infected partner. Although some of the STIs are curable but others still do not have any effective preventive or therapeutics available such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Call for no more new HIV infected children

Shobha Shukla, CNS Columnist
According to UNAIDS Report 2013, an estimated 260,000 children below 15 years were newly infected with HIV in 2012 in low and middle income countries. While the first paediatric HIV case in India was recorded in 1987, in 2012 out of the 2,100,000 people living with HIV in India, 200,000 were children below 15 years.

MPTs are innovative strategies to transform women's health

Shobha Shukla, CNS Columnist
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, are known to be primarily transmitted through sexual route which has created a major impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. Although some of the STIs are curable but others still do not have any effective preventive or therapeutics available such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Globally, STIs and their complications rank in the top five disease categories for which adults and adolescent seek health care.