HIV/AIDS in Nepal: Stirs Discrimination, Courage, Hope

• National HIV/AIDS Hotline implemented July, 2006

• This service provides free access to resources.  Callers will receive crucial information to help bridge the huge information gap . . .

• Women and HIV/AIDS: Experiences/Consequences of Stigma/Discrimination (.pdf, 110 KB)

• The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nepal is taking a devastating toll on women. " I am no more considered a person in my family. My father-in-law blames me for his son becoming HIV positive. I do take total responsibility for my son being positive… My father-in-law came and took his son and grandson away from me and left me in a house where I have no source of support…I have nowhere to go (Woman, 32 yrs old, Kathmandu)"

• From the USAID Health Profile for Nepal, May 2005 (.pdf, 246 KB)

• The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) considers that Nepal has a concentrated HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an estimated 61,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS and about 14 new HIV infections each day . . .

• How One Woman Lives Positively with HIV/AIDS

• In 2002, the organization asked her to join its staff as a peer educator. Having seen the difference it made her in own life, Goma jumped at the chance to help. Finding courage, identity and purpose in life, Goma began to help others . . .

• Winner of HIV/AIDS Positive Beauty Pageant lives with Courage and Hope

• "It is the beginning of a new, courageous life," she said. “Relationships today depend not only on education or wealth alone. It is wise to have a blood test done before marriage.” Dikshya was infected by her husband, an injecting drug user, and wants every girl not to take marriage for granted.

• Government of Nepal HIV/AIDS National Action Plan - 2005 - 2006
• Business response to HIV/AIDS in Nepal
• HIV/AIDS Threatens Nepal's National Security

• HIV/AIDS undermines national security by degrading civil governance, causing a disruptive loss in the labor force, and posing an enormous burden on health budgets impacting Nepal's ability to secure food, shelter, health care, education and all forms of security. As adults fall ill and die, families face declining agricultural productivity. HIV/AIDS directly affects police capability, and community stability . . .

Nepal HIV Hotline: toll-free number is 1660-01-33-000

In Nepal the first cases of AIDS were reported in 1988. Surveillance data is scarce. but by early 2005, more than 800 cases of full-blown AIDS and over 4,700 cases of HIV infection were officially reported. World Bank figures indicate that one-third of HIV infections nationwide were among Injecting Drug Users. In the Kathmandu Valley the HIV prevalence rate among IDUs in the early 90s was 2%; in 1999 it exceeded 50 %. UNAIDS estimates that at least 10 per cent of the 2 to 3 million Nepali migrants are infected with the virus.

The currently low prevalence among the general population masks an increasing prevalence in several groups: It is now evident that Nepal has entered a "concentrated epidemic", i.e. the HIV/AIDS prevalence consistently exceeds 5% in one or more sub-groups such as sex workers, their clients and injecting drug users. The main mode of transmission continues to be through commercial sex and the fact that the sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are rising is an ominous sign. Although official reports claim that adequate information is not available about child sex work and girl trafficking in Nepal, it is estimated that every year 12,000 Nepali children (ILO - Rapid Assessment) are taken to Indian brothels and the Gulf countries for the purpose of commercial sex work .

The HIV situation in Nepal is characterised by the high prevalence among groups involved in high-risk behaviour. Among street sex workers in Kathmandu, it rose from about one per cent in 1992 to about 16 per cent in 1998. Among Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs), it rose from about two per cent in 1991 to 50 per cent in 1997.

The prevalence in general population in Nepal is rising rapidly. There are indications that the transmission among housewives is increasing. Though the infection is found everywhere, it is concentrated in the capital.

Despite the current situation, the implementation of the National Programme, according to UNAIDS was successful in some important areas; the coverage of targeted 40 per cent interventions focusing on sex workers and their clients was increased nationwide. There is 15 per cent coverage nationwide on harm reduction activities. Provision anti-retroviral therapy has also been started in Katmandu. The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) and the International Planned Parenthood Association (IPPF) in their HIV/AIDS Strategy (2002-2006) have clearly targeted migrant and slum populations as being highly vulnerable to the infection. SOURCE: youandaids.org