As HIV fear fades, Kerala sees steady rise in STI cases among youth
Kerala's District STI/RTI centres report rising patient numbers as fading HIV fear and changing behaviour raise other infection risks.
The deterrent effect that HIV once had on sexual behaviour appears to be weakening in Kerala, and health officials are now turning their attention to a different concern: a steady increase in other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people.
Data from the 23 District STI/RTI Centres operating under the Kerala State AIDS Control Society shows a consistent rise in the number of individuals seeking care. While the exact figures were not disclosed, the trend has been described as steady and sustained.
Public health observers attribute the shift to changing sexual behaviour patterns among the youth. The fear of contracting HIV, which previously encouraged safer practices, no longer carries the same weight, leading to a greater exposure to infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia.
The rising patient load at these centres underscores the need for renewed awareness campaigns that address the full spectrum of sexually transmitted infections, not just HIV. Health authorities are now tasked with recalibrating their messaging to reflect the current risk landscape.