Mar 30, 2006 :: Decline in HIV rates

PTI citing an online 'Lancet' report says that HIV infection rates in the south fell by as much as 33%. The findings are part of an Indo-Canadian study based on reviewing nearly 80,000 people in ante-natal and STD clinics.

Extensive awareness campaigns and increased use of condoms may be paying off.

The worrisome part is that there is no decline in rates in the north. Though the number of cases there are lower than in the south, it is suspected that poor reporting may be the cause.