HIV prevalence appears to be low, even in populations such as sex workers, despite their higher vulnerability and exposure to risks. High literacy rates, relatively high status of women, and good access to health care services in Sri Lanka, all act to protect individuals and communities against HIV infection.
While Sri Lanka is a low prevalence country, several conditions increasingly contribute to high vulnerability. Dr. Claeson cites a recent evaluation of the national program that identified conflict, high mobility of the military, internally-displaced persons, and separation of spouses due to overseas employment, as key risk factors. Moreover, new economic developments such as the expansion of internal free trade zones, and broad social changes, including the increasing migration of young adults from rural areas to large urban centers, increase their vulnerability to HIV.
She said Sri Lanka has an opportunity now to prevent the spread of HIV among high-risk groups. “Increasing coverage of high quality interventions for vulnerable groups at high risk, such as sex workers, men-having sex-with men, and injecting drug users are critical to sustain the low prevalence rate.”
ICAAP8 provides an opportunity to learn from successful programs in Asia that have focused on high risk groups and achieved results, such as the Tamil Nadu program across the border. “It is also important to build the capacity of Sri Lanka’s NGOs to deliver best practice interventions."
RSS