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Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
[Current epidemiological situation of HIV/AIDS in Latin America: analysis of differences among countries]
Inmaculada Teva1, Maria Paz Bermúdez, Maria Teresa Ramiro
1Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España. inmate@ugr.es
Background:
There is a great regional heterogeneity in the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS.
Aim:
To analyze the current situation of HIV/AIDS in Latin America by means of a comparative analysis among countries.
Material And Methods:
In a descriptive study (document analysis), epidemiological data about HIV/AIDS in Latin America as well as population data were used. Prevalence indexes and the distribution of HIV/AIDS cases were compared according to gender, age and transmission mode.
Results:
Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador and Honduras are the countries with the highest prevalence indexes. Colombia is in the first position in percentage of young men with HIV/AIDS and it is in the second position in percentage of children. Costa Rica is the second country for percentage of young men and male adults infected with HIV/AIDS. Paraguay is in the second place for children with HIV/AIDS and it is the third country in young men living with HIV/AIDS. Dominican Republic is in the first position in the percentage of young and adult females living with HIV/AIDS. The main transmission mode in all Latin American countries is sexual intercourse (heterosexual and homo/bisexual).
Conclusions:
Latin America is a heterogeneous region in HIV/AIDS which should be considered in the development and establishment of prevention strategies.
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