Publications

The Lao PDR Multiple Indicator Survey is a nationally representative sample survey which was conducted between March and June 2006. In the 5,894 households successfully interviewed nationally in the survey, 33,100 household members were listed. Of these, 16,467 were males and 16,633 were females. The average household size found in the survey was 5.6.

Many times, paperwork and these administrative obligations delay rape survivors' access to some RH services, such as emergency contraception pills (ECP) or post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), because many of these services have small windows of time (72 hours) in which they can be administered effectively. Unless health service staff are aware and able, many of these women may miss their opportunity to obtain certain RH and HIVforms of care. To evaluate the current environment, a situation analysis of post-rape care services available at the first point of contact was conducted. The aim of this investigation was to gather information that could be used in the development of a comprehensive care and support system for the rape survivor. Secondarily, the study field-tested sensitive and practical tools that could be used in the future for large-scale situation analyses of the rape survivor services. This study was carried out in three cities in India (Delhi, Lucknow, and Vadodara) and four cities in Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Tangail).

There is an urgent need to address the emerging and re-emerging epidemics of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people. Strengthening strategic information systems and implementing interventions for the prevention and treatment of HIV and other STIs among MSM and transgender people should be considered a priority for all countries and regions as part of a comprehensive effort to ensure universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment. A meeting held on 15–17 September 2008 in Geneva brought together participants from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its United Nations (UN) partners along with representatives from 26 countries to discuss the role that the health sector can and should play in addressing prevention, treatment and care of HIV and other STIs among MSM, transgender people and their sexual partners.

Outline: - The essential criteria for a National Strategic Plan - The importance of prioritization - Effective intervention - The cost dimension - Other vital elements - Resources: Training agenda and manual, templates, toolbox, reference readings

The objectives of this assessment include: 1. To describe the characteristics of MSM with particular attention to adolescent and young males within community, entertainment, and congregate settings in Kabul, Kandahar, and Mazari-sharif as it pertains to HIV prevention. 2. To assess the circumstances of child abuse/exploitation within the context of MSM within communities, entertainment, and congregate settings in Kabul, Kandahar, and Mazar. 3. To strengthen the knowledge base for the HIV national response for MSM and child abuse/exploitation among the government, donors, and NGOs. 4. To make recommendations for a stronger capacity among the government, donors, and NGOs for appropriate service delivery on HIV prevention, care and support for MSM and children at risk of child abuse/exploitation. 5. To review the development of MSM community-based self-help and other appropriate approaches to HIV prevention, to reduce stigma and discrimination, and to reduce violence against children. This desk review of current literature on male-male sexualities, behaviours and sexual exploitation in Afghanistan is a part of the rapid assessment of male vulnerabilities to HIV and sexual exploitation in Afghanistan.

This study is the third round of the IBBS and was conducted from June through to August 2008, among 200 female sex workers (FSWs) in Pokhara. The study was undertaken to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, and associated risk behaviors, among FSWs. Demographic and sexual behavior data were collected through a structured questionnaire, while the prevalence of HIV and syphilis were selectively measured by blood samples.

This study is the third round of the Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveys (IBBS) conducted from June through August 2008 among 500 Female Sex Workers (FSWs), both street (N=200) and establishment based (N=300) in the Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts). The study was undertaken to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, and associated risk and prevention behaviors among FSWs.

The newly established Islamic Republic of Afghanistan faces many challenges: pockets of instability around the country, low literacy levels, high levels of opium production, and a lack of basic infrastructure. But what is known about the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Afghanistan? Is Afghanistan at risk of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic, and if so what can be done? The looming potential of an HIV epidemic in Afghanistan has motivated academics, donors, the Government of Afghanistan, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to undertake research, create policies, and implement programs for the prevention of HIV spread in Afghanistan. Although HIV has been explored to varying degrees by several agencies, data on HIV in Afghanistan remains sparse and information sharing has been largely ad-hoc and uncoordinated. This report aims to synthesize available information on the HIV epidemic in Afghanistan. The report explores regional HIV transmission patterns, the prevalence of risk factors for HIV in Afghanistan, and Afghanistan’s current programmatic and policy responses for HIV prevention.

In Pakistan, seven times more men are reported to be infected with HIV than women. Among the Pakistani population, modes of HIV transmission include infection through sexual contact, contaminated blood and blood products, injecting drug use, and mother-to-child transmission. Although most sexual transmission of HIV results from unsafe heterosexual contact, homosexual and bisexual contact also represent important modes of transmission. According to unpublished reports, the prevalence of HIV among homosexual and bisexual Pakistani men is reaching alarming proportions. We describe the Pakistani homosexual and bisexual culture, review statistics regarding HIV prevalence and risk behaviour, and identify areas of improvement in the HIV policy with specific focus on men who have sex with men.

The main focus of the handbook is female prisoners1 and guidance on the components of a gender-sensitive approach to prison management, taking into account the typical background of female prisoners and their special needs as women in prison.