Arunachal Pradesh, the sentinel of the North East, is the largest state in the region with a total land mass of 83743 sq. km. surrounded by international borders by Bhutan on the west (160 km), China on the north (1030 km) and Myanmar on the east (440 km). The state also shares inter-state boundaries with Assam (619 km) in the south and Nagaland (59 km) in the east. Topographically, the state is situated in a high and mountainous region dominated by inhospitable terrains and underdeveloped road communication infrastructures with only 5763 km of all-weather motorable roads. Most of the villages are sparsely populated and inaccessible through transport modes. Trekking on foot for several days altogether at a stretch is often the only recourse to reaching these remote and distant villages. The state also boasts five major rivers that become turbulent during the monsoon and cause several flood havoc. Apart from being called the ‘land of the rising sun’, Arunachal is also referred to as ‘the lung of the country’, with the largest forest coverage of 50530 sq. km. Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh was known as North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) comprising 5 districts and administered by the Governor of Assam. In 1972, the state attained Union Territory status and was bifurcated from Assam and renamed Arunachal Pradesh. In 1987, the state attained full pledged statehood and presently it consists of 26 districts, 60 elected members of the Legislative Assembly, 241 Zilla Parishad Members (female-90, male-151), 25 Zila Parishad Chairpersons (female-13, male-12), and 8164 Gram Panchayat Members (female-3702, male-4462), which reflects a fair amount of women’s participation in state governance and empowerment. The people of the state originally hail from various ethnic groups (mostly of the Mongoloid race). There are 26 major and 101 minor tribes, having 26 major local dialects, thereby reflecting the rich cultural unity and diversity among tribes and kinsmen. These ethnic tribes, comprising 70% of the total population can be divided into three cultural groups on the basis of their socio-politico-religious affinities. The rest 30% comprise people coming from outside the state having ethnic, linguistic and cultural entities. Of the total 80% of the population of this enchanting frontier state lives in rural, remote and far-flung areas. Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of this state and only a marginal segment of the total population is engaged in employment both in public and private sector undertakings. The growth and pace of investment and development is yet to trickle with no sign of medium and heavy industries. The migration of population within the state reflects a rising phenomenon largely seen from rural to urban areas and also to other states in search of jobs and better livelihoods. On the other hand, there is also an increasing trend of the influx of immigrants from other states who are on the lookout for greener pastures in this state.

Overview of HIV Epidemic

The first case of HIV/AIDS in the state was detected in 1998. Since then, there is steady rise of HIV positive cases in the state. The general population's prevalence has consistently increased in the last few years as per the surveillance reports. There is a high prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Tuberculosis, and also an alarmingly high rate of Hepatitis-B in the state (as reported by the Hospitals). There is high incidence of IDUs being tested HIV positive.