HIV/AIDS In Sudan; The Forgotten Crises

Abstract

Introduction:

Sudan has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence among countries in the Middle East ranging from 0.7 to 7.2%. Estimated people living with HIV are estimated to be 600,000 (this is data figure is from 2003). Sixteen out of every 1000 Sudanese people are now living with HIV/AIDS. The spread of the epidemic started in Sudan in the 1980s was first announced by the ministry of health .The first AIDS case was reported in 1986. HIV/AIDS prevalence was low in the 1980s but a rapid increase brought it to an estimated 2.6 percent among the adult Population in 2002 and an overall prevalence of 1.6 percent in the general population (SNAP 2005).  Study among women for ANC in Juba have shown prevalence exceeding 3 percent in 1998 and  another study in IDP Camps in Khartoum state estimated a prevalence of 5 percent ,  In addition high rates have been reported among vulnerable groups with high risk behavior, such as prostitutes  (5%),  ladies selling Tea Sellers (2.5%), Refugees (4%) and Street children (2.5%). Since no routine surveillance exists in rural areas, the trend of HIV/AIDS prevalence in these areas is difficult to estimate (WHO, 2004). There is not enough information so it is difficult to estimate prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the reasons behind that in different areas. In the south the difference exists because the civil war in the south has led to the collapse of the social, economic and health infrastructure leading to pockets of high prevalence in certain areas (SNAP 2005).