Indian housewives threatened by HIV/AIDS

Indian health experts have warned the country's HIV/AIDS rates are rising in a surprise section of society - the housewife. Suniti Solomon, of the YR Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education blames outdated social customs and lack of awareness for the growing amount of married women with the disease. Recent studies carried out at clinics have revealed higher than expected HIV infection rates among groups of previously deemed low-risk women, such as monogamous housewives. In India's deeply conservative and male-dominated society, women - both married and engaged - are prevented from actively protecting their health when it comes to sex, the research shows. Soloman says, "We need to expand the focus to include married, monogamous women who may not perceive themselves to be at risk, but whose personal risk is inextricably linked to the behaviour of their husbands." (ES/WNWR/ZJS)

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