Contrary to the popular perception, a study conducted by an NGO in Chennai shows that urban slums are not the main cause for spreading AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD).

The study, undertook by YRG Care with support form the National Institute of Health, U.S.A., was conducted among 60 persons in 18 to 40 age group randomly chosen from 30 slums in the city. Blood tests and counseling done by the agency showed that only 0.4 percent of them were HIV positive and with STDs, proving that Chennai slums are in the 'low risk category'.

The study was to find whether a certain population or area, with risk factors like rampant alcoholism, drug abuse, commercial sex and multipartner sex, are prone more to STDs. The study was then extended among 3600 people from different income levels and customers of 100 odd liquor shop outlets in the city to find whether alcohol consumption removes inhibitions and spur people to visit commercial sex workers for sex without protection.

The study revealed that qualitative risk of contracting HIV was 55 percent among them, and 20 to 27 percent of the samples had contracted STDs. The YRG Care professionals offer counseling and treatment for those identified with the diseases. The Centre has also identified influential community leaders in respective intervention sites to spread the message of safe sex, besides follow-ups and treatment.

According to YRG Care sources, the study is simultaneously conducted in China, Peru, Russia and Zambia, and is part of the project to reduce the risk of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).

Chennai city alone has about 8,200 identified AIDS cases, with the maximum number of AIDS cases in Tamil Nadu, according to the National AIDS Control organisation (NACO) figures.