HIV/AIDS
HIV prevalence has been relatively stable in Asia; however, it is still a major concern in this region, especially among young people. Several countries in South East Asia, in particular, are observing relatively high HIV prevalence among its young men and women, namely Thailand, Cambodia, and Lao PDR.
What is of more concern is the access to quality prevention and treatment facilities and services, which is variable across the countries studied in this report. Data on this information is scarce; yet the implications of not knowing the status of this issue is farreaching.
There is a need to expand the reach of awareness programmes, and to make voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS widely available in the region. There is also a pressing need to address the stigma and discrimination faced by young people living with HIV/AIDS, which is not only a great hindrance towards access to treatment and care, but also a tremendous burden on the individuals' physical and emotional well-being.
| HIV PREVALENCE (%) | |||||
| Female | Male | Female | male | ||
| Bhutan | <0.1 | 0.1 | |||
| Afghanistan | <0.1 | <0.1 | Burma | 0.1 | <0.1 |
| Bangladesh | <0.1 | <0.1 | Cambodia | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| India | 0.1 | 0.1 | Lao PDR | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Maldives | <0.1 | <0.1 | Malaysia | <0.1 | 0.1 |
| Nepal | <0.1 | <0.1 | Phillipines | <0.1 | <0.1 |
| Pakistan | <0.1 | <0.1 | Thailand | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Sri Lanka | <0.1 | <0.1 | Vietnam | 0.1 | 0.2 |