HIV and Aids are spreading faster in eastern Europe than anywhere else
in the world, posing a major threat to young people's health, experts warn.
A report by Unicef says radical action is needed to stop the spread
of the disease in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia and the former
Soviet Republics, now the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
In the CIS, almost 80% of new infections were among people under 29
between 1997 and 2000. In Estonia, 90% of newly registered infections are
in people under 30.
Unicef says HIV/Aids is developing "unchecked", because of a growth
in substance abuse, particularly drug misuse, people having sex earlier
and the growth of prostitution.
The need for immediate action is paramount
Derek Bodell, National Aids Trust
By the end of 2001, there were an estimated one million people with HIV/Aids
in the region.
Most infections are among injecting drug users, but countries such as
Belarus and Ukraine are seeing increasing numbers of sexually transmitted
cases.
In Belarus, 8% of new infections in 1996 were attributed to sexual transmission.
In the first half of 2001, the figure was 32%.
But many young people are unaware of the risks of HIV and how to prevent
infection.
Small projects offer hope
A Unicef survey found although 70% knew using a condom protected them
against infection, this was significantly lower than awareness levels in
western Europe.
In contrast, in France, 97% are aware of the importance of using condoms
and in Germany, 87%.
Although Unicef says countries are not doing enough to tackle the problem
of HIV and Aids, it adds small scale projects in some of the worst affected
countries, such as Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, are making an impact.
Unicef also praised work in countries which acted early to combat the
problem, such as Poland, Lithuania and Kyrgyzstan.
The report recommends:-
-
Young people should be involved in awareness raising campaigns and peer
education
-
Ensure schools discuss HIV/Aids
-
Create accessible health and advisory services
-
Create inclusive attitudes to people infected and those at high risk
Catastrophe
Carol Bellamy, executive director of Unicef, said: "The implications
for the region's economic growth and social stability - which are so dependent
on its young people - are alarming.
"HIV/Aids has a young face in this region. Young people account for
most new infections and their low levels of HIV awareness, combined with
increasingly risky behaviour, herald a catastrophe.
"It is clear that the gravity of the situation has been underestimated
and that precious time has been lost. Without immediate and radical action,
there is little to stop the spread of the disease."
Derek Bodell, chief executive of the UK's National Aids Trust, said:
"These statistics reconfirm the fact that HIV/Aids is not confined to Africa
but is a global concern affecting communities around the world. [глубоко
копнул ;)]
"We applaud the early action by governments in countries such as Poland
and Lithuania that have responded to the epidemic by raising awareness
and developing prevention programmes as well as targeted policies.
"However, there remains a need for more immediate action and particularly,
political leadership in addressing HIV/AIDS within each country especially
those most affected by HIV. Unfortunately such action is often impeded
by stigma surrounding the disease.
He added: "The need for immediate action is paramount.
"Not only is it imperative that government's address prevention, develop
awareness, improve health services to respond to HIV but it is vital that
this commitment is dedicated and long-term."
Unicef has launched a website
covering all the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the CIS and the
Baltics.
