Publications

Tonga is a small island nation comprising 169 islands with four main island groups with a population of 101, 991 people. Two-thirds of the population resides on the main island of Tongatapu with 23% residing in urban areas. HIV prevalence in Tonga is very low with no HIV cases detected in antenatal women in the previous Second Generation Surveillance (SGS) survey conducted in 2004. In 2008, Tonga conducted a second round SGS in antenatal women and youth population groups.

The objective of this report is to publish the preliminary findings of the Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) until the release of the Final Report which will carry detailed information. The preliminary findings reported here are confined to Background characteristics of respondents such as current fertility, current use of contraception, fertility preferences, maternal care, vaccination coverage, treatment for childhood illnesses, breastfeeding, nutrition, awareness of HIV/AIDS and prevention and it is expected that this will satisfy the urgent needs of users.

Pakistan currently has very low levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; the overall HIV prevalence rate is less than 0.1 percent in the general population. However, the country is considered to be at high potential risk for an HIV epidemic for a number of reasons. In particular, in the major cities there are large concentrations of individuals engaging in behaviors that make them vulnerable to the rapid spread of HIV and of classical sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The infection can spread to the general population through the bridging population, who are individuals who have contact both with high-risk groups and the general population. The bridging population can be defined by prevalence data of STIs, including HIV, if known, or by the identification of risk behaviors. This study of urban men commissioned by the National AIDS Control Program, with funding from Department for International Development (DFID) (United Kingdom), is one of the three studies originally designed to measure reproductive tract infection (RTI) and STI prevalence and sexual behaviors in the high-risk groups, in men comprising the intermediate-risk group, and in women representing the low-risk groups. 

The assessment provides a review of existing legislation, in terms of their provisions for non-custodial measures and sanctions, with particular focus on the provisions for offenders with mental healthcare needs, drug users, women, juveniles and first time non-violent offenders. It analyses information gathered in Kabul, as regards offences committed by some of these groups and sentences received, with a view to assessing the application of existing provisions for alternatives and potential for expanding the use of non-custodial sanctions and measures. It reviews the capacity of criminal justice institutions and services in the community, provided by the State and NGOs, to implement and support non-custodial measures and sanctions.

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the level of knowledge, perception/attitude, and practices related to HIV among 1,054 freshmen students in four Afghan universities differences between genders. A probability, two stage sampling method was used. Data were collected by a self administered structured questionnaire. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Most of respondents were male (72.1%), their average age was 20.1 ± 2 years, and most were unmarried (93.4%). The majority (90.8%) were aware of HIV but only 28.3% had a good level of knowledge. Around one-third (35.6%) had a positive level of attitude toward HIV. Approximately 30% had at least one risk practice; therefore, they were counted as high-risk behavior group members. Females were statistically more knowledgeable than males, and high-risk behaviors were significantly more prevalent among males; p = 0.01 and p = 0.001, respectively. However, general awareness, and attitude were not statistically different between genders. A considerable proportion of students (14.6%), as compared to peer-countries, were sexually active. A very high level of sharing injecting needles (4.5%) and shaving sets (20.8%) were also reported among informants.

Sexual transmission is the fastest growing route of HIV transmission in China. We undertook this study to describe the risk factors for HIV infection in female sex workers (FSWs), and to determine the commercial sex venues where FSWs are most at risk of being infected with or infecting others with HIV.

The 2nd International Conference on Reproductive Health Management (ICRHM) has been success-fully held in Kuta, Bali on 6-8 May 2008. Distinguished experts from across continents come to share their experiences in managing the reproductive health program to achieve the better result and impact.

Bhutan is recognised as being a low prevalence nation for HIV. Although information on HIV/AIDS in Bhutan is limited there is data available from passive case reporting, a few studies and sentinel sero-surveillance conducted through government health care services. All data confirm that HIV prevalence is still low and the estimated numbers of HIV positive people are approximately 100. Information from the passively reported cases suggest that heterosexual contact is a leading cause of HIV transmission. This report presents the findings and conclusions from the general population behaviour survey that was conducted between March and June 2006 among 3235 males and females between 15-49 years from urban and rural Bhutan.

Research from around the world has suggested that married women’s greatest risk for contracting HIV is from having sexual intercourse with their husbands. On the basis of 6 months of ethnographic research in Hanoi, Vietnam, this paper argues that the contemporary nature of the HIV epidemic in Hanoi is shaped by 3 interrelated policies implemented in 1986 as part of the government’s new economic policy, Doi Moi (Renovation). Together, these policies structure men’s opportunities for extramarital sexual relations and encourage wives to acquiesce to their husbands’ sexual infidelity, putting both at risk of HIV. The study proposes 4 structural intervention strategies that address the policies that contribute to men’s opportunities for extramarital liaisons and to marital HIV risk.

Children have been called the missing face of HIV and AIDS. While countries and regions have marshaled resources to respond to the HIV epidemic, children and young people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS have received little, if any, attention. In March 2006, participants in the three day East Asia and Pacific Regional Consultation on Children and HIV & AIDS, held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, issued the ‘Hanoi Call to Action’. It appealed to national and regional leaders to put children firmly on the agenda in their HIV response. Two years later, many of those who attended the Hanoi consultation gathered in Bangkok to take stock of what progress had been made and what gaps still existed in efforts to protect, treat and care for children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in the East Asia and Pacific region. Convened by the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, the Regional Partnership Forum on Children and HIV and AIDS (or “Forum”) brought together 133 representatives from 17 countries and organizations. The forum was held from 31 March to 2 April 2008 at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. This report highlights the substantial inputs and discourses made during the three-day Forum. It outlines several action points that aim to minimize the impact of HIV and AIDS on children and young people and to prevent the continuing spread of HIV by protecting children and young people from a host of vulnerability and risk factors that drive the spread of HIV in the region.