Research Assistant, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
Online Published on 04 November, 2025.
It study analyzed that the level of awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the youth of Shimla city. The Shimla was selected because it has the highest population than the other towns in the state and a city is a famous for tourism. People come here from all over India and also from different parts of the world. As per the latest HIV estimates report (2024) of the Government, India is estimated to have around 24.49 lakh people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in 2024. HIV infection in India is mainly caused by engagement in high risk behaviours. The main high-risk behaviours identified for HIV infection in India includes unprotected heterosexual behaviour, unprotected homosexual behaviour, and unsafe injecting drug use behaviour. There are no dedicated hospitals for the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. However, under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) of the Government, as on July 2023, there are 570 Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) Centers and 1264 Link ART Centers. The results of this study highlight the enormous challenges lying ahead in the prevention of the spreads of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS campaigns have significantly raised awareness and knowledge about the dreaded infection in the rural and urban areas. Key messages on HIV/AIDS prevention have reached out to individuals at high risk, as is evident from the changes expressed in their sexual behavior by the respondents. What is required is that people must also be given scientific education by the doctors, professional, social workers and NGOs.
