Whether HIV Discordance Among Couples Is Getting Altered Due to the Changing Discourseof the HIV Epidemic in India? Evidence fromTwo Rounds of National Family Health Survey

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the role of dual challenges in the HIV epidemic in India, especially in the context of the criticality of the emerging epidemic, in altering the HIV discordance among couples. Analysis of the evidence from two rounds of community-based HIV testing (NFHS-3&4) portrays that coverage of HIV testing in India has remarkably increased (91%) over the last decade. Although the overall prevalence of HIV in the country has declined, a noticeable decline can be found only among the males. The percentage of HIV concordant among couples in India remains unchanged (0.11%). Whereas, HIV prevalence among the couples where only the male partner is HIV positive has declined to 0.17% in NFHS-4 from 0.32% in NFHS-3. On the other hand, among couples where only the woman is HIV positive, the prevalence has increased. This shows that Indian women are in a disadvantageous position, and the gender difference in new infections is narrowing down. Thus, it can be said that the emerging HIV epidemic is altering the HIV discordance among couples in India, which poses the need to effectively and rapidly refine the HIV prevention strategies to target the sub-typologies and vulnerabilities.