WESTERN BUREAU:

Common lifestyle practices among persons in the Caribbean continue to increase the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region, a noted health official has said.

Dr Kevin Harvey, senior medical officer in charge of the National HIV/STI Programme in the Ministry of Health, made the disclosure while addressing the launch of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Alliance, a four-day conference held at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay, which ended last Friday.

"There are some common factors which exist in most, if not all, the islands in the region that are fuelling the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

"These include early sexual initiation; limited life skills and education; stigma and discrimination; inconsistent condom use; multiple partnerships; commercial and transactional sex and men who have sex with men," Harvey outlined.

He said there were specific challenges being faced in addressing these factors, which include legislative, political, social and cultural behaviour. But he stressed that while civic groups continue their fight, prevalence rates remain unacceptably high in some populations.

Issuing a stark reminder, Harvey said the HIV epidemic was far from over, adding that only a collaborative plan of action would enable Jamaica and the Caribbean to overcome the global monster.

Referring specifically to Jamaica, Harvey reminded the audience that an estimated 27,000 persons were living with the HIV/AIDS across Jamaica.

Unaware

Harvey said that an estimated two-thirds of that group were unaware of their status despite an increase in the number of individuals tested, from 250,000 in 2002 to 400,000 in 2008.

He added that between 6,000 and 7,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS were in need of antiretroviral (ARV) medication, with 5,000 persons now on treatment.

Said Harvey: "Our HIV/AIDS programme has reaped some success where ARVs and the prevention of the mother-to-child transmission interventions are concerned. As a result of increased access to antiretroviral treatment, more persons are on medication and are living longer."

Additionally, he said the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme had also reaped its own success, pointing out that in 2007, a total of 27 new paediatric AIDS cases were reported, compared to 73 cases the previous year. This represents a 63 per cent decrease in the number of paediatric AIDS cases.

noel.thompson@gleanerjm.com