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HIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan
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- HIV is spreading rapidly in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan hosts one of the youngest epidemics in the world. Almost 91% of all reported infections were diagnosed between 2001 and mid-2003, bringing to more than 2500 the total number of reported HIV cases (UNAIDS).
- Men account for most of the infections -more than 85% .
- Young people, between 15-34 years of age, account for two-thirds of the cases.
- Tashkent has the highest number of infected persons.
- Injecting drug use was the cause of the majority of infections – about 90% - as in other countries of the region.
- There are around 25,000 registered drug users, though the UN estimates the number to be at least 60,000.
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Government Response
The Uzbek Parliament passed a law in 2000 on the prevention of diseases caused by HIV. Since then, HIV counseling stations have been opened in the regional centers of Uzbekistan and in Tashkent. People applying to these counseling centers can get advice from specialists, have themselves tested, and receive free syringes, condoms, and information.
Establishment of 'Trust Points' - An International Best Practice
After the successful establishment of pilot 'trust points', the Minister of Health decreed that the AIDS Center in each oblast should set up a 'trust point' providing anonymous and confidential testing and counseling for IDUs.
UNAIDS reports that this initiative is the first initiative in Central Asia by national authorities to implement trust points nation-wide, and is an international best practice.
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