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Symposium: Caring for children & families affected by HIV in concentrated and low-level epidemics: Government and community responses that are making a difference! 9th ICAAP, 11 August 2009, Bali, Indonesia

This study is the fourth round of IBBS conducted among 300 male Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in the Kathmandu Valley. The study was undertaken to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, and associated risk behaviors among IDUs. Demographic, sexual behavior and injecting behavior data were collected through structured questionnaire while the prevalence of HIV and syphilis were selectively measured by testing blood sample.

This study is the fourth round of IBBS conducted among 300 male IDUs in the Pokhara Valley. The study was undertaken to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, and associated risk behaviors among IDUs. Demographic, injecting behavior and sexual behavior data were collected through structured questionnaire while the prevalence of HIV and syphilis were measured by testing blood samples using Determine HIV 1/2 test to detect antibodies against HIV, Uni-Gold test as a second test and SD Bioline HIV 1/2 test as a tie-breaker test.

This report details the findings of the third round of the IBBS conducted among 300 male IDUs in the Western to Far-Western Terai of Nepal. The study was conducted with the primary objective of measuring HIV and syphilis prevalence among the study population and to assess their HIV/STI related risk behaviors including their sexual and drug use habits. It also aimed to assess their exposure to the HIV/AIDS/STI awareness and prevention programs targeted at IDUs in the Western to Far- Western Terai of Nepal.

This document summarizes the findings of the third round of the IBBS conducted among 400 MSM in the Kathmandu Valley in 2009. This survey was conducted primarily to determine the prevalence of HIV and STIs among MSM in the Kathmandu Valley and to assess their HIV/STI-related risk behaviors, including their sexual behaviors.

This study presents the findings of the fourth round of the Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance (IBBS) conducted among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) of the Eastern Terai region of Nepal. The study is based on a survey of 345 males aged 16 years and above who have been injecting illicit drugs for at least three months before the date of the survey. The IDUs were recruited from different areas of the Jhapa, Sunsari, and Morang districts of the Eastern Terai. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of HIV/STIs and to assess HIV/STI-related risk behavior among the IDUs in the study areas. The study also collected information on IDUs’ socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of HIV/STIs, sexual behavior, condom use and exposure to intervention programs in the study areas. The fieldwork started on 19 January and was completed on 23 February 2009

The HIV epidemic in Indonesia is among the fastest growing in Asia, and limited funding is available for HIV/AIDS control. The epidemic is concentrated among injecting drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners in most parts of the country, but generalised in some other parts. This raises a number of important policy questions, about the adequacy of the level of available funding, the appropriateness of its use, and its financial sustainability. This paper puts these questions in context of the present Indonesian health system.  

This survey presents a snapshot of themes affecting programming for men who have sex with men (MSM), for a group of men who have been having sexual relations with men for some time and are in contact with services. A large number of them have disclosed their sexuality to family, friends and others and are more likely to be HIV-positive, having been recruited for the survey through the Alliance’s programme networks.

Facts about HIV Testing and Counseling in Nepal

• Voluntary Testing and Counseling of HIV was first started in Nepal in 1995 at National Centre for AIDS and STDC ontrol (NCASC).
• HIV Testing and Counseling is the entry point for overall HIV and AIDS case services. It is provided free of cost to the Most at Risk Populations, including general population from all over the country.
• There is a National Guidelines for Testing and Counseling of HIV in Nepal, first developed in 2003, and updated in 2007.

The world is responding. We see a growing global momentum to stop violence against women. In 2008, the Secretary-General launched a multi-year global campaign called UNiTE to End Violence against Women. He is appealing to all partners to join forces to eliminate this scourge. The Campaign recognizes the power of the law: one of its five key goals is for all countries to adopt and enforce, by 2015, national laws that address and punish all forms of such violence, in line with international human rights standards. This Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women, prepared by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs/Division for the Advancement of Women (DESA/DAW), is intended to assist States and other stakeholders to enhance existing, or develop new laws to protect women. The recommendations it provides in the model framework for legislation on violence against women serve as a useful tool in supporting efforts to provide justice, support, protection and remedies to victims and to hold perpetrators accountable. The commentaries which accompany the recommendations highlight promising examples from laws worldwide.