Afghanistan: HIV/AIDS Vulnerability and Prevention

Abstract

Afghanistan is beginning to rebuild itselffollowing over 20years of war and civil strife. In post- conflict and humanitarian situations, HIV prevention is frequently overlooked because of other priorities. Yet it is exactly in such circumstances that HIV/AIDS thrives, as experienced by other war-affected countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar. Until reliable data on STI and HIV become available, immediate interventions are required to avert possible HIV transmission among vulnerable populations, induding refugees, drug users, uniformed personnel and their families. In responding to the global HIV epidemic, all countries have faced a decision between early and late intervention to reduce the impiact on society, communities and individuals. Delayed response is mostly associated with greater adverse impact at different levels, including higher HIV/AIDS- related costs, while early intervention has the potential to maintain HIV prevalence at low levels. Afghanistan still benefits from a window of opportunity for embarking on an early HIV prevention strategy for averting the rapid increase of HIV prevalence among vulnerable populations as experienced in neighbouring countries in Asia.