Document 3072
 DOCN  M94A3072
 TI    The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the Western Pacific Region: an
       opportunity for prevention.
 DT    9412
 AU    Sarda R; Petersen G; Gertig D; Effler P; WHO Regional Office for the
       Western Pacific.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):16 (abstract no. 037C). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369503
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To develop a concise overview of the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
       in the Western Pacific Region. METHODS: Examination of official
       surveillance reports and reviews of serosurveys conducted at sentinel
       sites within Member States. RESULTS: Collection of epidemiologic data on
       HIV and AIDS has been ongoing in the Western Pacific Region since 1985.
       Available evidence suggests that the HIV epidemic is at an earlier stage
       in this region, as compared to other parts of the world. As of January
       1994, there have been no AIDS cases reported from 11 pacific island
       nations at 8 of these have no documented reports of HIV infection. In
       contrast to this, the remaining 24 countries of the region have reported
       a total of 5851 AIDS cases, and 31,665 infections of HIV. Three
       countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan account for 89 and 66
       percent of all reports of AIDS and HIV respectively. In Australia and
       New Zealand, where more than half of all HIV infections have been
       attributed to male homosexual contact, HIV incidence rates have
       stabilized in recent years. Malaysia, Viet Nam and China however have
       experienced dramatic increases in HIV infection rates since 1990; IV
       drug use accounts for a total of 6699 HIV infections in these countries
       and greater than 90% of the known risk exposures. Heterosexual contact
       is the major risk factor for HIV transmission among other nations
       reporting recent escalations in incidence, such as the Philippines,
       Macao, and Cambodia. Mother to infant transmission is still relatively
       rare in the region with just 61 perinatal infections reported to date.
       CONCLUSIONS: The distinct epidemiologic patterns found within east Asia
       and the Pacific reflect the diverse geographic and cultural landscape of
       this region. For many countries the HIV epidemic is just beginning to
       accelerate. A window of opportunity exists at present when strategies to
       prevent the spread of HIV must be aggressively implemented.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION &  CONTROL
       Australia/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Human  HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  HIV Seroprevalence  Incidence  Japan/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       New Zealand/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Pacific Islands/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Seroepidemiologic Methods  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).