The HIV epidemic in India is heterogeneous, with diverse modes of infection. The Indian epidemic continues to be concentrated in populations with high-risk behaviour characterised by unprotected sex, anal sex and injecting drugs with shared injecting equipment. However, these groups are not isolated communities but often mixed up with other sub-populations.

Around 57% of the total HIV infections are in rural areas. In the general population, women and young people are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the infection.

VHAI’s vision is to augment and strengthen the HIV/AIDS control efforts in the country, with no duplication of the government efforts. It intends to utilise the strength of NGOs, especially the outreach of VHAI network, to accelerate the outreach of the programme, particularly in the context of difficult-to-reach areas.

One integral component of VHAI’s HIV/AIDS program in the rural setting is to sensitise the community leaders on the social impact of HIV/AIDS.