The boundaries and names shown and the official designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations

Country Profile

UNAIDS 2008 report indicates the total estimated number of people living with HIV as remaining at less than 100 since 2001 when HIV screening was initiated [ 1,2]. In 2007, 14 HIV cases have been reported.

Heterosexual sex is the predominant mode of HIV transmission. Vulnerability and risk factors that may contribute to HIV spread include high mobility, high rates of divorce and remarriage creating exposure to large sexual networks, the level of sexually transmitted infections, increasing drug use, external tourism estimated at 600,000 per year [2]. Maldivians inhabit 200 of the 1,200 islands that make up their country. This dispersed population creates barriers to educating people on HIV/AIDS, distributing condoms, and treating people for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Sources:
[1] WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF. Epidemiological fact sheet on HIV and AIDS: Maldives , July 2008
[2] The World Bank. HIV & AIDS South Asia: Maldives , http://web.worldbank.org