Publications

At this point in time, the HIV epidemic in Nepal is still concentrated among high-risk groups, including injecting drug users (IDUs). Nepal has approximately 20,000 IDUs, with at least 5,000 living in the capital, Kathmandu. HIV prevalence among IDUs in Kathmandu is extremely high. In 2003 – the reference year of this analysis – that rate was 68%. This paper has two objectives. The first is to examine the robustness of two different epidemiological models; these models were used to determine the impact of IDU interventions in Nepal when interventions are scaled-up to reach 60% of IDUs, as recommended by UNAIDS. The second objective is to disseminate the outcome of two cost- effectiveness analyses of IDU interventions in Nepal. These analyses used identical data sets to determine the cost-effectiveness ratios under various scenarios of intervention coverage. Nepal has been selected as a case study for two reasons. Firstly, it has good quality cost data information that is easily converted into 2003 prices, and behavioural surveillance data from 2003. Secondly, Nepal was one of four countries in the region where an alpha version of the Asian Effectiveness Model (AEM) (Brown and Peerapatanapokin 2004, Brown T 2005) was available at the time of the analysis (June/July 2007).  

FHI/Vietnam shared results from the female sex workers (FSWs) rapid interviews at a workshop for provincial project staff, health educators, peer educators, drop-in center managers, and partner project managers. The aims of the workshop were to review current status of programming and to develop new approaches to overcome barriers to female sex workers (FSWs) risk behaviors.

The global epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has radically challenged efforts at tuberculosis control and treatment. Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death among HIV patients, with recent reports indicating that between 27 and 80% of tuberculosis patients are coinfected in a variety of settings with measurable prevalence of HIV. HIV prevalence among tuberculosis patients in Afghanistan is currently quite low. However, lack of knowledge of HIV and engaging in high-risk practices, particularly regarding health, make this group vulnerable. Health education sessions regarding HIV, sexually transmitted infection, and blood-borne infections should be implemented for tuberculosis patients during the treatment course.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics has been conducting the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey since 1993 with the technical support of UNICEF. MICS 2006 was conducted during June through October 2006. The MICS 2006 is the ninth survey conducted in Bangladesh. This final report is based on the MICS 2006. A key findings report was published in June 2007. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics conducted the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) between June and October 2006. The main objective of the survey was to provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in Bangladesh. The survey also aimed at furnishing data needed for monitoring progress towards goals established by the MDGs, the goals of A World Fit For Children, and other internationally agreed upon goals, as a basis for future action; as well as contributing to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Bangladesh and strengthening technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such systems.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, reporting rates for tuberculosis (TB) are rising in an emerging HIV epidemic. To describe the HIV epidemic among TB patients and quantify its impact on rates of reported TB, we performed a repeated cross-sectional survey from 1997 through 2002 in a randomly selected sample of inner city TB patients. In more recent years, rising HIV infection rates in TB patients have been documented in Ho Chi Minh City, the major urban area with the highest HIV prevalence in the country. Since 1997, Ho Chi Minh City has also reported increasing TB rates, particularly for young adults. Our study objective was to describe the course of the HIV prevalence among TB patients in Ho Chi Minh City during 1997–2002. By combining our data with the NTP reporting data, we also quantifi ed the effect of HIV on the TB reporting rates in this city.

Bangladesh is threatened by an HIV epidemic. It is important to identify the best way to achieve rapid reductions in sexually transmitted infections (STI) as an effective approach to HIV prevention. Periodic presumptive treatment (PPT) is suggested as a method for STI control; however, it is considered a short-term solution as the epidemiological justification of this approach is weaker as the STI prevalence declines. Enhanced syndromic management (ESM) is an alternative approach that aims to reduce STI prevalence rapidly, through a single round of presumptive treatment of cervicitis, plus, subsequent monthly clinical care through an ESM protocol based on a risk assessment and laboratory tests.

In January 2006, the Chinese government along with WHO and UNAIDS jointly estimated that 650,000 people were living with HIV in China, including about 75,000 AIDS patients. During 2005 there were around 70,000 new HIV infections and 25,000 AIDS deaths.1 These large numbers have to be considered in the context of China's extremely large population which is estimated at around 1,300 million. The figure of 650,000 is lower than the previously published estimate of 840,000 in 2003. This is not because prevalence is falling, but is due to better data and improved methods of estimation. The number of reported AIDS cases is lower than the estimated number because of massive under reporting, especially in the rural areas. This is for a variety of reasons including a shortage of testing equipment and trained health staff, as well as HIV-related stigma.

The handbook has been written for criminal justice officials, non-governmental organizations, and members of the community who are working to reduce over-reliance on imprisonment; to improve the delivery of justice, including rehabilitation and reintegration; and to integrate international human rights-based standards and norms into local policies and practices.

Although there have been many notable successes in both the prevention and treatment of HIV, stigma and discrimination have been intractable problems associated with the AIDS epidemic throughout the world. Stigma certainly has well-established individual consequences: it has been shown to delay HIV testing, restrict utilization of preventative programs, and hinder the adoption of preventative behaviours like condom use and HIV status disclosure (Brooks et al., 2005). Stigma may also have consequences for individual economic well-being as well as broader socioeconomic development (beyond the impact of HIV disease alone). In Asia, where the epidemic arrived relatively late, HIV is spreading with rapid speed. In 2005, the number of AIDS cases in Asia topped 8 million; this is compared to approximately 3 million people just 10 years prior (UNAIDS, 2006). Determinants and consequences of stigma and discrimination on socioeconomic development in Asia have yet to be empirically assessed. In this context, this review is aimed at generating informed discussion among key stakeholders including academia, policy makers, governments, donors and people living with HIV on the phenomenon of stigma and discrimination, with a particular focus on its human development context and impact. The paper also seeks to set a research agenda to foster compelling and disaggregated enquiries into stigma and discrimination.

Maldives has so far experienced a low level HIV epidemic. A recent situation analysis "The HIV/AIDS Situation in the Republic of the Maldives in 2006" has pointed out several factors that demonstrate vulnerability to an increasing epidemic: increasing drug use, increasing injecting drug use and the presence of hidden populations of commercial sex and men who have sex with men in the archipelago. The population of the Republic is young, the age of marriage is increasing, serial monogamy is common, condom use is limited, non-emergency blood transfusions are common and men often spend extended periods away from their home islands. Surveillance of sexually transmitted infections has not so far been undertaken in a manner that enables establishment of proper trends.