The data from the Central Blood Bank Kabul indicates the detection of the first HIV positive case in Kabul in 1989. Between 1989 and 2005 the central blood bank reported a total of 67 HIV positive cases out of 125,832 blood samples screened at central and provincial levels for HIV through rapid testing kits [1]. As of the end of 2009, 636 HIV-positive cases have been reported nationwide and the number of deaths due to AIDS was estimated to be fewer than ten [2].

As of 2008, UNAIDS estimated the HIV prevalence among the general population in Afghanistan as below 0.5% [3]. Although still considered as low prevalence, vulnerability and risk factors are present: HIV epidemics among injecting drug users in four countries bordering Afghanistan (Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran); nearly three decades of war and five years of drought resulting in great decline in the population’s health, social and economic conditions; generally low levels of education and literacy [4]; high levels of migration and mobility; massive production of illicit drugs and drug use; limited health and social infrastructures [5]; and only half of the country’s donated blood units are screened for HIV in a quality-assured manner [2].

Sources:

[1] Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Ministry of Public Health. Afghanistan National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS (2006-2010). Final version, 2006

[2] National AIDS Control Program, UNGASS Country Progress Report: Afghanistan, Reporting Period: January 2008 to December 2009, March 2010

[3] UNAIDS, WHO. Report on the global AIDS epidemic. July 2008

[4] Saif-ur-Rehman, Rasoul MZ, et al, “Responding to HIV in Afghanistan.” Lancet, 2007 Dec 22;370(9605):2167-9

[5] The World Bank, South Asia Human Development Sector, Mapping and Situation Assessment of Key Populations at High Risk of HIV in Three Cities of Afghanistan, Discussion Paper Series 43733, April 2008.