In India's HIV Sentinel Surveillance system, which population group serves as the sentinel proxy for estimating HIV prevalence in the general population?
- A Blood donors at voluntary blood banks
- B Antenatal clinic attendees aged 15 to 49 years ✓
- C Attendees of sexually transmitted infection clinics
- D Tuberculosis patients notified under NTEP
Correct answer: B. Antenatal clinic attendees aged 15 to 49 years
Explanation
HIV Sentinel Surveillance uses unlinked anonymous testing at designated sentinel sites, and pregnant women attending antenatal clinics aged 15-49 years act as the proxy sample for the general heterosexual population, a convention adopted worldwide because they are broadly representative of sexually active adults. STI clinic attendees over-represent people with risky sexual behaviour, and key populations such as FSW and PWID are tracked separately through dedicated sentinel groups using respondent-driven sampling, not as proxies for the general population.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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