HIV/AIDS IN PERU

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General statistics Population million Life expectancy: Male: years Female: 75.6 years GNI billion Literacy rates: Male: 97.3% Female: 91.7%

STATISTICS Number of people living with HIV - 72,000 Adults aged 15 to 49 prevalence rate – 0.4% Adults aged 15 and over living with HIV- 70, 000 Women aged 15 and over living with HIV – 21, 000 Children aged 0-4 living with HIV – 2, 200 Deaths due to AIDS – 2,500

Most HIV transmission occurs through sexual contact. Infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia in men and women are factors that increase the risk of HIV transmission in Peru There is relatively low level of sexual education, limited condom use, and risky sexual behaviours practiced among some subpopulation which is likely to the further spread HIV in Peru.

National Response Peru adopted a syndromic management approach to sexually transmitted infections and began offering preventable treatment to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission In March 2004, the Government of Peru signed a Declaration of Partnership with UNAIDS that commits the Ministry of Defense to incorporate HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs

The Government of the United States channels most of its economic assistance to Peru through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) In 2005, USAID financed approximately $13 million in health- related projects, including nearly $1 million for HIV/AIDS activities.

Treatment In 2004, introduction of antiretroviral drugs began in public health clinics of Lima funded largely by a grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS.

USAID’s programming is designed to address issues related to HIV/AIDS at many levels by: Improving the information for HIV/AIDS decision-making, both through the Ministry of Health infectious disease programs and through university-based studies Developing a national clinical tracking system for receivers of antiretroviral therapy.

Prevention USAID is working at both the national and the field level on HIV/AIDS prevention. USAID/Peru is: Supporting NGOs that provide prevention messages using the ABC approach (Abstinence, Be faithful, and correct and consistent use of Condoms) Training peer health educators Expanding the supply of condoms through commercial providers

USAID provides extensive technical assistance to Peruvian officials through economic and financing studies. USAID is sponsoring a set of studies on sexually transmitted infections and HIV prevalence in 24 cities in Peru. Mission activities include: improvements to laboratory diagnostic capabilities, support for research regarding the relationship between the tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS epidemics With the assistance of USAID, 19 public health reference laboratories have received equipment to enhance their diagnostic capabilities