HIV/AIDS in Pakistan

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HIV is not currently a dominant epidemic in the adult population of Pakistan. However, there are a growing number of cases, which, coupled with low awareness of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan, the AIDS epidemic is poised to take hold in Pakistan. AIDS may become a major health issue, as many risk factors are present, like unscreened blood and low condom use. [1]

The National AIDS Programme’s latest figures show that around 3,000 HIV cases have so far been reported since 1986, but UN and government estimates put the number of HIV/AIDS cases between 70,000 and 80,000. Official say that the majority of cases go unreported due to social taboos about sex and victims’ fears of discrimination. [2]

Pakistan is among the countries of the world where HIV infection is still growing. The total number of estimated people living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan is 85,000 ranging from lowest estimate 46,000 to highest estimate-210,000. Over all prevalence of HIV infection in adults aged 15 to 49 is 0.1%.Template:Ref needed

HIV incidence is on the rise among injecting drug users. [3]

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[edit] Evolving phases of HIV epidemic

HIV epidemic evolves in three phases. First phase is low prevalence, when prevalence of the disease is less than 5% in any high risk group of the country. Second phase is concentrated epidemic when proportion of infected people in any high risk group rises more than 5%. Third and last phase of epidemic is generalized epidemic when prevalence of HIV infection rises more than 1% in blood donor or pregnant ladies population.

[edit] Pakistan- Concentrated phase of epidemic

Pakistan enjoyed with the low prevalence phase of epidemic from 1987 to 2003. In 2004, prevalence of HIV infection raised more 5% in injecting drug users and Pakistan joined the club of concentrated epidemic. Now Pakistan’s major challenge is to save the country from entering into the phase of generalized epidemic and let our general population remain far below 1%. This is quite doable but window of opportunity is also threatening to close very soon. Blood donor screening data all over the country is suggesting rising trend of HIV infection in the blood donor population. At blood bank, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, till 2005 prevalence of HIV infection in the family blood donor population was far less than 1 in 10,000 blood donations which have reduced to 1 in every 3000 blood donation. Similarly more and more HIV infection in the injecting drug users risk more pregnant ladies in the country to have HIV infection as most of injecting drug users are young and have normal marital life.

[edit] National Response to HIV epidemic

Pakistan’s response to HIV/AIDS began in 1987 with the establishment of a Federal Committee on AIDS by the Ministry of Health. The national AIDS control Program was then established. It is objectives are the prevention of HIV transmission, safe blood transfusions, reduced STI transmission, establishment of surveillance, training of health staff, research and behavioural studies, and development of program management. The challenge to curtail HIV spread in the country is huge and requires family, community, health care providers, and civil societies support to make AIDS control in Pakistan possible. Government’s effort to create awareness of HIV/AIDS in the country has remained very successful and now a very high proportion of the population both urban and rural has a good awareness of HIV/AIDS, but unfortunately it appears that this awareness has not translated in the change in high risk behaviour and safe practices in the country. Earlier detection of HIV infection and subsequent counselling can play a vital role in breaking the chain of spread of HIV infection. Government and Non governmental organization have established several voluntary counselling centres in the country, but there uptake is dismal. Similarly only 28% of injecting drug users, 22% of men who have sex with men and 11% of sex workers have access to any prevention programs.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pakistan sitting on a ticking AIDS bomb By Amir Latif
  2. ^ ibid
  3. ^ UN AIDS Epidemic update 2007

[edit] External links

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