Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
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Abstract #541  -  Country with low transmission: Sri Lanka
Session:
  26.37: Posters B (Poster) on Tuesday   in  Chaired by
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Ms Asankthi Fernando - Advisors for Scientific and Health Intelligence, Sri Lanka
 
  Additional Authors:  Dr Hemantha Wickramatillake,  
Aim:
Sri Lanka still boasts of being a country with low transmission and prevalence of HIV/AIDS. This is based, purely, on statistics available. However, with risk factors observed in many other countries in the region, it is very likely that a point will reach, when Sri Lanka could no longer claim to be what it is at present. Overseas travel by many, tourism being a main income generating industry, increase in casual sex among the young and the adults, a large number of men and women serving in the Middle East and the prevailing commercial sex industry are some of the contributory factors for an expected increase. The recorded cases of HIV as at September 2005 are 712 and the number of AIDS cases is 176. These were cases identified as positive at job recruitment stages, voluntary presentations or being tested for non-recovering illnesses. Therefore, a large number may still be present amongst the community as symptomless HIV infected cases and thus may be transmitting the infection by means of their multiple partnering sexual behaviors and casual sex.
 
Method / Issue:
Desk based review.
 
Results / Comments:
Involvement of the World Bank and the World Health Organization have aroused the need to carry out projects to educate the community on the risks of casual sex and other related sexual behavior patterns. Many large projects are being started, and hopefully, depending on their strength and commitment, lessening or a control of spread of the virus is expected.
 
Discussion:
Much lessons are learnt from neighbouring countries. Strong will and effective prevention campaigns.
 
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