Emergence and Social Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS in Kashmir Valley

The study was done to enlighten on the emergence and social stigmatization of HIV/AIDS in Kashmir valley. The simple size of the study was taken as 50 through the purposive random sampling. The aim of the study was to know the mode of transmission of HIV infection. Since the HIV prevalence is considerable low in Kashmir as compared to other states of India and the factors responsible for such low prevalence to HIV/AIDS are not known, but definitely this is being attributed to strong socio-religious factors prevalent in Kashmir society. The primary goal of this study is to find out the emergence of HIV/AIDS in Kashmir, gender difference, material status, age, locality, social stigma and discrimination experienced by these respondents in Kashmir valley. Majority of HIV positive patients belonged to males. Results also show that HIV infected persons in Kashmir valley are non-locals. Transmission of infection was through sexual contact in 80 % followed by homosexual transmission in 2 %. Vertical transmission and blood transfusion accounted in 2% cases each. One of the reason may be happen due to lack of proper knowledge about the disease. So Government departments and institutions, Non-Government Organizations and counseling centers should spread awareness about the disease with rejuvenated zeal.