HIV/AIDS epidemic in goa, india: spatial patterns in transmissibility

Research Article
A.S. Kadi and S.R. Itagimath
DOI: 
xxx-xxxx-xxx
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
HIV/AIDS prevention and control, Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient, topography.
Abstract: 

This study explores the geographical and demographic patterns of transmissibility of HIV/AIDS in a tourist state of Goa India, using yearly epidemiological time series data. The authors used data from monitoring and evaluation unit, Goa state AIDS control society to demonstrate a novel use of the Lorenz curve, and Gini coefficient to determine the variability of HIV/AIDS in Goa in the three different types of samples (ICTC, ANC, Walk-in). We have also used ANOVA and a posteriori multiple comparison Tukey HSD tests to explores the geographical differences between all possible pairs of HIV positivity means that control alpha inflation. The overall combined Gini coefficient, an equality measure that ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality) was 0.40 indicating moderate concentration of HIV positive persons tested in Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC). Females (Gini coefficient=0.39) were less concentrated of HIV positive persons than males (Gini coefficient=0.42). In Walk-In centers overall combined Gini coefficient was 0.49 indicating moderate but higher than ICTC concentration of HIV positive persons in overall combined population. Females (Gini coefficient=0.46) were less concentrated of HIV positive persons than males (Gini coefficient=0.59).Five homogeneous subgroups were formed on bases ofTukey HSD analysis, in which Salcete and Mormugao taluks both from South Goa district have the highest HIV positivity rates and Tiswadi and Bardez taluks both from North Goa district have the second highest HIV positivity rates. This is of critical importance as the authors continue to explore novel approaches to investigate the geographic variation in disease etiology.