Low graphics   |   Mobile      Login   |   About us      
Thu, 5 Nov 10:30:34 GMT17

 
AIDS in M.East

Last reviewed: 12-12-2008

RISK OF COMPLACENCY


Iranian girls hold a banner during a World HIV/AIDS Day ceremony in Tehran. December 2005.<BR> REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
Iranian girls hold a banner during a World HIV/AIDS Day ceremony in Tehran. December 2005.
REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
The Middle East and North Africa together form a region that has one of the lowest HIV/AIDS rates in the world. But AIDS experts warn that governments must do more to prevent its spread before it gets out of control.

  • One of lowest infection rates in the world
  • Islamic practices may have protected people so far
  • Explosion in infections feared if governments don't act now

    As with other regions, the people who are most at risk are also the most marginalised and socially stigmatised - intravenous drug users and their partners, sex workers and their clients, and men who have sex with men.

    In a region with conservative mores, and where discussion of extramarital sex is taboo, there is often little information available on how people can protect themselves.

    Many experts are also worried that there is not enough data collection, especially among those most at risk, to know how quickly the virus is spreading.

    Key facts


    People living with HIV/AIDS 380,000 (UNAIDS, 2008)
    Prevalence 0.3 percent (UNAIDS)
    Newly infected in 2007 40,000 (UNAIDS)
    Died in 2007 27,000 (UNAIDS)
    Treatment coverage Dec. 2007 7 percent (UNAIDS)
    Country with the highest prevalence rate Sudan

    Unlike some other content on this website, the written content in this article may be republished or redistributed by any means free of charge. Any use of photographs and graphics on this website is expressly prohibited. You must check whether written content contained in other articles on this website may be republished or redistributed without the express permission of Reuters or the relevant third party provider.

    • Related articles

    Breaking stories
     Asia UN Human Rights Council: “Traditional Values” Vote and Gaza Overshadow Progress

    Africa Deporting HIV-Positive Migrants Threatens Lives, Global Goals

    AlertNet insight
     Post-conflict areas vulnerable to HIV/AIDS-report

    Aid agency news feed
     Africa Punishing success in tackling AIDS: Funders' retreat could wipe out health gains in HIV affected countries

    Blogs
     Americas Yes, people over 50 have sex too

    Maps
     Americas MAP: HIV, estimated prevalence, 2007


    AlertNet for journalists

    AlertNet for journalists is a set of tools and services designed to make life easier for reporters, fact-checkers and editors when covering humanitarian emergencies.
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-04T224120Z_01_JER17_RTRIDSP_2_ISRAEL-SHIP_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JER17.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-04T184013Z_01_JER27_RTRIDSP_2_ISRAEL-SHIP_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JER27.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-04T183120Z_01_JER28_RTRIDSP_2_ISRAEL-SHIP_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JER28.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-04T180600Z_01_JER26_RTRIDSP_2_ISRAEL-SHIP_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JER26.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-04T175407Z_01_JER25_RTRIDSP_2_ISRAEL-SHIP_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JER25.htm

    Israeli soldiers stand near munitions displayed at the port of Ashdod November 4, 2009, that according to the military was found on the Antigua-flagged Francop vessel, intercepted overnight in the Mediterranean ...


    More pictures | Galleries

    * Denotes mandatory entry      Rate this item *  
    • Currently 4/5 Stars.
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5


    Name: *     Email: * 
    I am: *     


    Comments:

    Enter the code shown on the left *




    URL: http://www.alertnet.org/db/crisisprofiles/ME_HIV.htm

    For our full disclaimer and copyright information please visit http://www.alertnet.org