As many as 78 deaths due to AIDS were reported in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad during 2001-02. Another 551 were suffering from AIDS.
According to a survey conducted by the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, in association with the Indian Red Cross Society, as part of the AIDS awareness campaign in the twin cities, there was a rise in HIV positive cases from 0.16 per cent in 1989 to 0.99 per cent in May 2002. Of the total 3,55,275 blood samples tested as part of the survey, 2,751 persons tested HIV positive and 551 as AIDS cases, besides 78 deaths.
The survey was conducted in various parts of the city, particularly the slums between January 2000 and May 2002. According to the figures available with the MCH, the HIV rate in AP among sex workers ranged between 16 per cent and 50 per cent. Kakinada heads this category with 48.5 per cent. Hyderabad is second with 41.6 per cent in this category, followed by 25 per cent in Tirupati, and 16.2 per cent in Peddapuram. The state has about 3,50,000 people with HIV.
Sex with non-regular partners was recorded at 16.2 per cent among males and 8 per cent among women in the urban areas. The same in the rural areas was 21.7 per cent for males and 7.5 per cent for females.