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WHO
Collaborative Programme
AIDS
and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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AIDS
and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Situation
Analysis:
AIDS in
Lebanon remains a public health hazard. Efforts to contain the disease by
the National AIDS Program (NAP) are ongoing. Several successes in the fields
of prevention have been accomplished with a high level of awareness about
the disease across the country (around 94% of the population has heard about
HIV/AIDS).
The epidemiological situation reveals a predominantly sexual transmission of
the disease, accounting for around 72% of all cases reported, with mainly
heterosexual transmission, with a strong correlation to travel and
migration. The NAP has been focusing on the following areas:
Prevention of sexual transmission
Prevention of blood transmission
Improvement of epidemiological surveillance
Reduction of the impact of HIV on patients and their families.
With the increase in use of electronic communication, it is necessary to
address youth early in their life for education and awareness about their
sexual life so as to correct misconceptions and to equip them with the
suitable life skills to protect themselves against STIs/HIV/AIDS.
Year 2000 statistics showed that 47.8% of all HIV infection reported to the
NAP, gave history of travel or migration to endemic areas and contamination
with HIV in these countries. Furthermore, these cases cluster in areas with
high rate of migration and travel (namely Southern Lebanon and Beirut).
Moreover, large migrant Lebanese communities exist in West and Central
Africa and a significant number of people frequently travel to and from
Western Europe and North America. They live separated from their families
and homes, which may encourage risky sexual behavior thus increasing the
risk of acquiring the HIV infection and consequently increasing the
likelihood of infecting wives (children) or partners.
In its action plan for the year 2001, the NAP designed and implemented a
major education awareness activity with military recruits including a
small-scale pre and post KABP study on STIs/HIV/AIDS. The results were
encouraging and showed improvement in the target group’s knowledge and
attitudes. It is now clear that more similar activities are needed to
address this group and to expand it to involve other groups of the armed
forces. One important activity that was not achieved and need to be stressed
upon is the integration of HIV/AIDS/STIs education in the curricula of the
military schools. NAP is planning for outreach interventions targeted at
different at risk groups with the involvement of the NGOs who have some
experience with these specific groups.
Two years ago the MOH started the provision of Antiretroviral Drugs (ARD)
for all eligible HIV/AIDS patients. The eligibility criteria was agreed upon
according to a consensus agreement on guidelines for treatment and care set
by the Lebanese Infectious Diseases Society with the NAP.
Priority
Areas:
- Capacity building of
NGOs in programme planning, implementation and evaluation
- Formulation of multidisciplinary committees to deal with AIDS
- Strengthening collaboration with the media
- Establishing a comprehensive surveillance system
- Institutionalization of infection control programmes in the health
facilities including the use of universal precautions
- Promotion of blood safety
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