Increasing Number of HIV/AIDS Cases Recorded in Pakistan

Pakistan is experiencing an increase in HIV/AIDS cases, with 90,000 people, or 0.1% of the population, between ages 20 and 45 testing positive for the disease, India's Daily News and Analysis reports. In addition, a large number of women are living with the disease in the country.

According to UNAIDS, Pakistan's HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated among specific populations, including injection drug users. Although Pakistan previously had been identified as having a low HIV/AIDS prevalence, a recent UNAIDS report said that almost 40% of new HIV cases in the country occur among women, who currently represent 30% of HIV-positive adults in Asia. In addition, UNAIDS data showed that the most common modes of HIV/AIDS transmission in Pakistan are heterosexual sex and contaminated blood or blood products.

The recent report from the country's Ministry of Health validated the UNAIDS findings, adding that thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan are truck drivers. According to the report, this population engages in unsafe sexual practices, making the group vulnerable to HIV. In addition, although truck drivers are somewhat aware of the disease, they have little knowledge of how to prevent it, the report found (Mir, Daily News and Analysis, 7/15).