HIV/AIDS in Jamaica.

Social determinants of HIV/AIDS

• Poverty & Ignorance

• Discrimination

• Stigmatization

• Marginalization

• Migration & population movement

• Cultural practices

• Gender imbalance

• Sexual practices

• Prostitution/Sex work

• Homo/bisexuality

• Substance abuse

• Sexually transmitted infections

• Sex tourism

• Casual sex

Critical Issues

• Social stigma and discrimination make

the problem worse by driving the

epidemic underground

• We need to review and  update our

policies towards:

                - Sex workers

                - Prisoners

                - Homosexuals

Defining the HIV/AIDS Problem

• HIV is a viral infection

• AIDS is a fatal disease

• HIV/AIDS epidemic is a public health problem

• Human Rights issue

• Socio-economic impact: Developmental problem

• Social determinants of HIV/AIDS

HIV/STD Control in JamaicaAchievements

• High awareness of HIV/AIDS

• Increased use of condoms

• Decline in syphilis & other STDs

• Decline in congenital syphilis cases

• Protection of the blood supply

• Slowed HIV spread

HIV/STD Control in JamaicaAchievements

• Involvement of many different sectors

• Comprehensive program in place

• Behaviour change communication

• Condom promotion

• Expanded STD clinics & contact investigators

• Laboratory infrastructure

• Trained thousands of health staff (private & public)

Condom Distribution in Jamaica

PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS REPORTING LAST TIME CONDOM USE WITH NON-REGULAR PARTNERS

PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS REPORTING  USE OF CONDOMS MOST TIMES WITH  NON-REGULAR  PARTNERS

Despite the achievements :                           HIV and AIDScontinue to spreadin Jamaica

24% of men & 34% of women
do not use a condom
with a non-regular sex partner

Level of Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Whatever the level of response so far,

every Caribbean country including

Jamaica needs to raise its response

several orders of magnitude in order

to control the HIV/AIDS  epidemic

 

Key Factors for Success

• High Governmental commitment

• Strong leadership

• Comprehensive control program

• Significant resources

• Combat discrimination & stigma

• Open recognition of the issues

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HIV/AIDS in Jamaica

GLOBAL ESTIMATES of HIV/AIDSADULTS & CHILDREN - 2000

                                                Millions

Persons living with HIV/AIDS                42.0

New HIV infections in 2002                  5.0

AIDS Deaths in 2002                                  3.1

Total AIDS deaths                                 21.8

HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean

• The highest HIV prevalence in the Americas

•  The second highest HIV prevalence rate in the                 world.

•  The leading cause of death among persons aged           15-44 years.

New AIDS Cases Per YearPer 100,000 Population

AIDS CASES IN JAMAICARISK BEHAVIOUR

STD history                                        36%

Multiple sex partners                        43%

Sex with prostitutes                        21%

Crack cocaine use                          7%

HIV Sero-prevalence among those most at risk

Who is responsible for ending the AIDS epidemic?

AIDS is not just a Health Problem

It is a Developmental Problem 

The response must be multi-sectoral and not limited to Health

Social determinants of HIV/AIDS

• Poverty & Ignorance

• Discrimination

• Stigmatization

• Marginalization

• Migration & population movement

• Cultural practices

• Gender imbalance

• Sexual practices

• Prostitution/Sex work

• Homo/bisexuality

• Substance abuse

• Sexually transmitted infections

• Sex tourism

• Casual sex

Critical Issues

• Social stigma and discrimination make

the problem worse by driving the

epidemic underground

• We need to review and  update our

policies towards:

                - Sex workers

                - Prisoners

                - Homosexuals

Defining the HIV/AIDS Problem

• HIV is a viral infection

• AIDS is a fatal disease

• HIV/AIDS epidemic is a public health problem

• Human Rights issue

• Socio-economic impact: Developmental problem

• Social determinants of HIV/AIDS

HIV/STD Control in JamaicaAchievements

• High awareness of HIV/AIDS

• Increased use of condoms

• Decline in syphilis & other STDs

• Decline in congenital syphilis cases

• Protection of the blood supply

• Slowed HIV spread

HIV/STD Control in JamaicaAchievements

• Involvement of many different sectors

• Comprehensive program in place

• Behaviour change communication

• Condom promotion

• Expanded STD clinics & contact investigators

• Laboratory infrastructure

• Trained thousands of health staff (private & public)

Condom Distribution in Jamaica

PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS REPORTING LAST TIME CONDOM USE WITH NON-REGULAR PARTNERS

PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS REPORTING  USE OF CONDOMS MOST TIMES WITH  NON-REGULAR  PARTNERS

Despite the achievements :                           HIV and AIDScontinue to spreadin Jamaica

24% of men & 34% of women
do not use a condom
with a non-regular sex partner

Level of Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Whatever the level of response so far,

every Caribbean country including

Jamaica needs to raise its response

several orders of magnitude in order

to control the HIV/AIDS  epidemic

 

Key Factors for Success

• High Governmental commitment

• Strong leadership

• Comprehensive control program

• Significant resources

• Combat discrimination & stigma

• Open recognition of the issues