Publications

This study was carried out to determine HIV/STIs prevalence rates among both migrants and non-migrants males from four VDCs around the Sanfebagar valley of Achham district in far-western Nepal. The objectives of this study were also to measure the extent of relationship between the prevalence rates and risk behavior and to ascertain the extent of linkage between migration and HIV/STI transmission in the area. Data for this study was collected from a total of 610 males who were from 800 randomly selected households. From all respondents an oral informed consent was taken before conducting the individual interviews in a private setting. The pathological tests of the specimens were carried out in the central laboratories of SACTS Kathmandu and Auroprobe New Delhi.

Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS are the greatest barriers to preventing further infections, providing adequate care, support and treatment and alleviating impact. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination are universal, occurring in every country and region of the world. They are triggered by many forces, including lack of understanding of the disease, myths about how HIV is transmitted, prejudice, lack of treatment, irresponsible media reporting on the epidemic, the fact that AIDS is incurable, social fears about sexuality, fears relating to illness and death, and fears about illicit drugs and injecting drug use. HIV/AIDS-related stigma does not arise out of the blue, nor is it something dreamed up in the minds of individuals. Instead, like responses to diseases such as leprosy, cholera and polio in the past, it plays to deep-rooted social fears and anxieties. Understanding more about these issues, and the social norms they reinforce, is essential to adequately responding to HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Otherwise, we run the risk of developing programmes and interventions that are not comprehensive, thus achieving little impact.

Great changes have taken place over the last decade in China. While the country’s GDP has increased more than four-fold, socioeconomic transformations have also contributed to and accelerated the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in China. The likelihood of an HIV epidemic has increased. Based on the latest characteristics of HIV transmission, we have completed a study on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the economy and society in China. This report is the summary report of this study, consisting of the following parts:

1. Socioeconomic factors contributing to HIV epidemic.
2. The estimation the number of HIV/AIDS cases by the end of 2001 and projection the trend over the next decade.
3. An analysis of the socioeconomic impact of AIDS on three levels: family, health sector and macroeconomics.
4. Recommendations on prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

This study was carried out to determine HIV/STI prevalence rates among both migrant and nonmigrant males from two VDCs of Kailali district in far-western Nepal. It was further set up to measure the extent of relationship between the rates and risk behaviors and to ascertain the extent of linkage between migration and HIV/STI transmission in the area. Data for this study was collected from a total of 610 males who were from 800 randomly selected households. From all respondents oral informed consent was taken before conducting individual interviews in a private setting. The pathological tests of the specimens were carried out in the central laboratories of SACTS Kathmandu and Auroprobe New Delhi. 

The HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic in India is a rapidly escalating crisis. The government’s estimate that about 4 million persons in the country are HIV-positive is widely thought to understate the true figure. Throughout the country, persons in traditionally high-risk groups, including women in prostitution, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men, have been shown to have alarmingly high rates of infection. In several states of India, such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the epidemic has spread to the general population. Programs that provide information, condoms and HIV testing to persons in high-risk groups are crucial to preventing the further spread of the disease. This report demonstrates that such programs, so essential to the fight against HIV/AIDS in India, are undermined by police harassment and abuse of HIV/AIDS outreach workers, particularly those who provide essential information and services to women in prostitution and men who have sex with men. Human Rights Watch’s research on this subject, carried out in March and April 2002 in several states of India, indicates that these abuses are frequent and widespread. Police mistreatment of AIDS educators and outreach workers reflects underlying social stigmatization and discrimination faced regularly by women in prostitution and men who have sex with men.

In response to rising prevalence levels, the Chinese government is placing increasing emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention. The State Council has set up a national committee for HIV/AIDS control with members from 26 ministries and commissions. Public awareness is a key component of any prevention strategy, and China has an HIV/AIDS awareness program in place with an emphasis on mass media. As part of this effort, the State Family Planning Commission conducted a survey on AIDS awareness in December 2000. The objective was to provide baseline information for expanding HIV/AIDS prevention activities.

The overall objective of Nepal’s strategy for HIV/AIDS is to contain the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nepal. The vision of the National Strategy is to expand the number of partners involved in the national response and to increase the effectiveness of the response. It will do this by focusing on activities within priority areas thereby optimising prevention and reducing the social impact of HIV/AIDS in the most cost-effective manner. Nepal’s “National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2002-2006” has been designed to guide the expanded response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nepal. An expanded response requires the commitment of all sectors, not just health, both within and outside government, and the coordinated support of external development partners. This strategy will promote and facilitate the coordination of their involvement.

The South East Asia and the Pacific UN Regional Taskforce on Prevention of Mother- to- Child Transmission (PMCT) convened its 3rd meeting in Beijing, People Republic of China from 23-24 June 2002. A total of 35 professionals participated in this two-day meeting. Participants discussed the country level PMCT experiences to-date and latest technical information and how these could be applied for their respective PMCT country programme. This report summarized the discussion according to the following (seven key programme components).

Good governance has been recognized by UNDP as a critical element in the reduction of HIV vulnerability. Right from its start, the UNDP South East Asia HIV and Development Programme has emphasized the importance of introducing dimensions of good governance into development strategies aimed at combating HIV/AIDS epidemics. The presentation of this message to a forum of Asian Parliamentarians at the end of 1999 resulted in the publication of the first article of this issue which links HIV prevention and good governance.

Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) is much more than drawing and testing blood and offering a few counseling sessions. It is a vital point of entry to other HIV/AIDS services, including prevention and clinical management of HIV-related illnesses, TB control, psychosocial and legal support, and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. High- quality VCT enables and encourages people with HIV to access appropriate care and is an effective HIV- prevention strategy. VCT can also be an effective behavior-change intervention. VCT offers a holistic approach that can address HIV in the broader context of peoples’ lives, including the context of poverty and its relationship to risk practice. VCT offers benefits to those who test positive or negative. VCT alleviates anxiety, increases clients’ perception of their vulnerability to HIV, promotes behavior change, facilitates early referral for care and support—including access to ARV therapy—and assists in reducing stigma in the community.