Use of condoms among factors in urinary infections
Tamkins, T.
Sun 5(2): 1d
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 1016-8974 PMID: 12288606 Document Number: 288175
The Global AIDS Policy Coalition (GAPC) at the Harvard School of Public Health gathered information on human rights from the managers of national AIDS control programs (NACP) in 115 countries, and on the size and style of government programs from NACP managers in 123 countries in the largest-ever survey of how governments are responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Both studies were conducted in 1993-94. The study found a lack of high-level commitment, inadequate regard for human rights, and only slow progress toward involving the non-government sector in policy development, especially women's groups. The Ministry of Health remains the center of activity in most countries despite World Health Organization recommendations that national AIDS control programs adopt a more multisectoral approach. Although most governments recognize human rights as a crucial part of any HIV/AIDS strategy, many violate human rights in practice through involuntary testing and the banning of certain behaviors in the name of prevention. Very few countries combine such testing with prevention activities, while free, voluntary HIV testing services were widely available in only 58% of the countries. Most countries had a good, but inconsistent record on counseling. In 1993, the world spent $2.6 billion on HIV prevention, $2.2 billion by high-income countries, with $700 million of the $11.6 billion spent worldwide that year on care spent in developing countries. Most countries allowed condom distribution in pharmacies, drug stores, and STD clinics; fewer allowed distribution in hotels and bars; and only a very small number allowed distribution in colleges and secondary schools. The World Health Organization estimates that 19.5 million adults and children are infected with HIV worldwide compared to the GAPC's January 1995 estimate of 26 million infected.