Carrying out antenatal tests, surveys were conducted in 2006, in which prevalence of HIV/AIDS was found in every one of 100 persons of the district.

Sources said many newly-wed youths work, who for angadia companies and stay away from home for long. Many of them have sexual relations outside their wedlock.

“There are two kinds of surveys — qualitative and quantitative. We focused on group discussions under the quantitative survey, where we found that those working for angadias are one of the most vulnerable groups getting HIV/AIDS,” said health officials.

The network of angadias is not only restricted to the state but also the metros including Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. There are more than 100 Angadia companies in Mehsana district alone and they also export diamonds through angadia services.

While Mehsana Chief District Health Officer Dr D C Jagani refused to comment on this issue, he did not rule out high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among angadia workers of this region.

HIV/AIDS programme coordinator, Mehsana, Dr I R Solanki said: “It is true that the incidences of HIV/AIDS are high in this profession. However, we cannot disclose the numbers which is against the law of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Moreover, the prevalence has decreased to 0.17 per 100 persons this year. When more than 5 per cent prevalence of HIV/AIDS is found in a group or a community, then it is considered under high-risk behaviour.”

Officials added that initial tests are conducted at Mehsana Civil Hospital and then the cases are diverted to Integrated Centre for Testing and Counselling (ICTC).

Mehsana-based NGO Young Citizens of India Charitable Trust (YCICT) is helping the patients and their families to rehabilate them. “Care is taken that their names are not written in the records of ICTC so that anonymity is maintained preventing stigma against any person,” a health official added.