Divorcees above 35, more susceptible to HIV infection

Study reveals that easy availability of partners for younger men saves them from contracting virus from sex workers

The younger a man is when he divorces the better, says noted family counselor Neelima Gokhale. "A survey conducted by me has revealed that divorces delayed beyond the age of 35 increases the chances of a man contracting the HIV virus," Gokhale explained.

However, city-based clinician research scientist at the National Aids Research Institute (NARI) Dr Milind Kulkarni said that the highest HIV prevalence among men is in the age group of 29 to 34.

"The National Family Health Survey-2008, which tested more than 100,000 people for HIV, also corroborates my contention," said Kulkarni, who also added the men outnumber women who have contracted the condition in the age group.

Gokhale argued that finding sexual partners became difficult after 35, and divorced men of the age may seek the services of commercial sex workers, who could be infected with the HIV virus.
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"It is easier for men who are young to get a sexual partner or even remarry, and keep away from perils of exposing oneself to the HIV virus. I have statistics to substantiate my claim," Gokhale said.

Manoj Pardeshi, the director of the NGO, Network of People, which works with HIV/AIDS infected people. "A body needs another body. If you are accustomed to sex, you want it desperately. You forget about the dangers of unsafe sex. People older than 35 are more susceptible to infections," Pardeshi said.