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| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
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Sri Lanka highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by VIMUKTHI FERNANDO Though Sri Lanka boasts of a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, "extensive risk factors and behaviour patterns which facilitate the rapid spread of the infection are widespread and make Sri Lanka highly vulnerable to an HIV/AIDS epidemic," a recent research conducted by the University of Colombo, has disclosed. Colombo University's Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), which conducts research and created the first comprehensive database on HIV/AIDS, reveals that male migrant workers between 30 to 34 years who engage in risky behaviour patterns with low or no awareness on the modes of transmission are the most vulnerable category. It is the profile of an average AIDS patient in Sri Lanka, said Dr. Darush Deen, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, co-ordinator of the database. Other vulnerable populations include youth, internally displaced persons, military personnel, urban slum dwellers, commercial sex workers and girls, especially those in refugee camps, and those working in free trade zones away from their families and other support systems. The risk factors include geographical proximity to high prevalent nations; lack of awareness of HIV/AIDS within the high risk population groups; removal from traditional social structures; increasing rates of pre-marital and extramarital sex; multiple sexual partners, casual and commercial sex; high number of migrant commercial sex workers from high prevalent nations such as China and Thailand, operating especially in the urban centres and high levels of unsafe sexual practices such as low condom use. The database, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, has taken a multidisciplinary approach on the subject and has compiled and reviewed 255 existing literature on the subject. Its objectives are aimed at providing a base for advocacy activities and encouraging further research by exposing areas that have not been addressed so far. The project is funded by UNAIDS. Meanwhile, at a press briefing on HIV/AIDS, organised by the World Bank, it was revealed that Sri Lanka's lack of openness about the issue might hide thousands of HIV patients in their own crannies and corners without access to help, due to stigma and discrimination. Though the number of HIV positive patients in Sri Lanka is estimated to be 4,800 upto end of October 2003, there were 509 recorded cases, of which 157 are reported to be suffering from full-blown AIDS. Though AIDS testing could be done with complete confidentiality at the National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP), not so many access these services, said Iyanthi Abeywickreme, Director NSACP. She stressed that there are high risk factors, behaviours and population groups which make Sri Lanka quite vulnerable to the disease. A growing commercial sex industry with links to military, truck drivers and three-wheeler drivers, low use of condoms, high and growing number of STDs, external migration, internal mobility, displacement, men who have sex with men, Free Trade Zone workers, tourism and beach boys are some of the factors affecting Sri Lanka. Living with AIDS is a reality we have to face. Therefore, AIDS programmes in work places, especially in the private and corporate sector, is extremely important, she pointed out. Openness could benefit the society with more involvement from religious, business and community leaders, government and civil society organisations making facilities and services more accessible to patients with their participation, said Jan Leno, UNAIDS Country Co-ordinator. Research and production of drugs have brought the treatment economics down thus making it affordable. The World Bank had changed its stance in treatment and will make it feasible for governments, said Peter Harrold, World Bank Country Director. Ted Chaiban, Chairman, UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS and Nigel de Silva, President Lanka Plus, also spoke. |
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