HIV/AIDS in Latin America : The Challenges Ahead
Information on HIV/AIDS epidemics in Latin America is disperse and lacks comprehensiveness. Sound and timely policies can limit the current and future impact of the epidemics but good policies are built on a strong epidemiological base and accordin...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/03/3494835/hivaids-latin-america-challenges-ahead http://hdl.handle.net/10986/13749 |
| Summary: | Information on HIV/AIDS epidemics in
Latin America is disperse and lacks comprehensiveness. Sound
and timely policies can limit the current and future impact
of the epidemics but good policies are built on a strong
epidemiological base and according to the countries'
needs. The aim of this study was to assemble all the
information available on the epidemiological pattern of the
epidemics in Latin America and to gather information on
current national surveillance capacity, national responses
of the health sector to identify key areas where specific
interventions are needed. Through national statistics, data
published by international organizations, and databases
searches, the authors collected data on the extent, trends
and patterns of HIV/AIDS epidemic in 17 Latin American
countries. Data on national surveillance systems and
national responses from the health sector were gathered
through questionnaires applied to managers of the national
HIV/AIDS surveillance system, director of the National
HIV/AIDS program, NGOs, and physicians. Despite relatively
high rates of HIV infection in most countries, many Latin
American countries have not yet faced a full-scale AIDS
epidemic. HIV/AIDS falls within the framework of a low
endemic setting; in the majority of the countries the
epidemic is still concentrated in high-risk populations.
Latin America has the necessary infrastructure to
efficiently and effectively confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
However, the capacity to respond has been limited by
political, technical and social problems. Several key
problems on the areas of prevention, access to health and
social services, human rights and national capacity were
identified. The results of the study suggest that the main
challenges to meeting the current needs are (i) availability
of resources; (ii) institutional capacity to provide
training in all areas; and (iii) cultural, social and
religious factors. |
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