EXCERPTS on AIDS PANDEMIC: points to ponder

"The Kuala Lumpur Monitoring the AIDS Pandemic (MAP) Network Symposium, The Status and Trends of the HIV/AIDS/STD Epidemics in Asia and the Pacific was held on 19-21 October 1999".

"With a population of nearly 3.5 billion¾representing nearly sixty percent of the world's population¾the Asia-Pacific region has the potential to influence greatly the course and overall impact of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. For the purpose of this report, this region stretches from and includes Pakistan on the west, to Japan and island nations in the Pacific, and from China in the north, to countries forming Oceania to the south. The general HIV/AIDS trends and HIV prevalence levels in this region were described in the MAP report that was prepared prior to the 4^th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Manila in 1997. This MAP report, prepared for the 5^th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October 1999, updates the status and trends of HIV/AIDS epidemics in the region"

""As a strategy for the prevention of HIV and STI, Cambodia is learning from Thailand by piloting a 100% Condom Use Program in one city, Sihanoukville. Through strong support from the local authority, establishment of a network at the community level, and application of the concept of working as partners with different stakeholders of the sex industry, it was shown that it is possible to ensure the safety of sex services in all sex establishments. Based on Cambodian concern about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as evidenced through survey and other types of data, Prime Minister Hun Sen has clearly stated that, whether legal or illegal, those working in the sex industry should not be denied care, services and education. Recently, the Prime Minister signed an endorsement letter to urge that the 100% Condom Use Program be efficiently applied countrywide. This was done because it became clear that knowledge alone appeared to be insufficient to enable people to change behavior in a timely fashion, to prevent HIV/AIDS. Therefore, “it is imperative to set a social norm: 100% condom use with all sexual partners other than regular spouse”. ""