Annual sentinel surveillance for HIV infection--issues and challenges

HIV surveillance has been held in the country since 1986,but the procedure has been standardized and adopted uniformly across the country since 1998 and is known as Annual Sentinel Surveillance for HIV infection. The method conforming to method laid down by WHO/UNAIDS follows the Unlinked Anonymous Strategy for blood collection from attendees of STD, ANC clinics or female sex workers (FSW), men having sex with men (MSM), intravenous drug users (IVDU) coming to drop in centres. The sites have been increasing over the years and at 703 in 2005, still lack coverage and adequate representation from all segments of the population and rural areas. The challenges are being addressed in the next round.