KOZHIKODE: A study conducted as part of the Migrants Suraksha Project of the Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (OISCA) has revealed that the prevalence of HIV is on rise among the migrant labourers in the city and suburban areas of Kozhikode.OISCA implemented Migrants Suraksha Projects with the financial and technical support of Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) among the migrant labourers and drivers, especially in the construction sector. National HIV sentinel surveillance study has showed HIV prevalence among them getting doubled to 6.2 per cent in just one year. Migrants are more vulnerable as they can fall easy prey to this dreaded disease. In a recent test held among the 354 migrant workers, seven were found HIV positive. “The bridge population comprising sex workers, injecting-drug users, migrants and truck drivers are the high-risk HIV behaviour groups,” said Dennis Joseph, joint director, Kerala State AIDS Control Society. According to the latest sentinel surveillance study published in 2009, the prevalence of AIDS among them is 5.3 per cent in the state. Earlier, it was 10.35 and 9.19 percent in 2006 and 2007, respectively according to the sentinel surveillance study. But the alarming fact is that the prevalence rate doubled in the district. In this circumstances OISCA has planned more awareness campaigns and activities in regions where the migrant labourers reside enmasse.
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