| Facts & Figures |
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| Written by unaids | |
| Thursday, 16 October 2008 | |
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HIV in Nepal
HIV epidemics in the South and South East Asia region are primarily driven by risk behaviours among population groups where higher HIV prevalence is found. Nepal’s epidemic has the characteristics of a concentrated epidemic where HIV has spread in defined sub-populations but is not well established in the general population and HIV sero-prevalence is consistently over 5% in at least one risk group.
National estimates indicate that approximately 70,000 adults and children are infected with HIV in Nepal, and 92% of all infections are in the 15-49 age group. 2007 estimates show that 42% of all HIV infections in Nepal are among seasonal labour migrants, 15% among clients of sex workers and 21% are wives or partners of HIV positive men. The highest burden of HIV infections is found in the Terai highway districts bordering India where 49% of all people living with HIV in Nepal are located. The overall prevalence in the adult population in Nepal is 0.49%.
Since the first AIDS case was reported in 1988, the HIV epidemic in Nepal has evolved from a “low prevalence” to a “concentrated epidemic”. As of August 2008, a total of 12,280 cases of HIV, 1,995 AIDS cases and 498 AIDS deaths had been reported to the National Centre for AIDS and STD control (NCASC). The sex ratio among HIV positive cases is 2.1:1 (m:f).
Sexual transmission and injecting drug use are major factors in the evolution of the HIV epidemic in the country. HIV prevalence among injecting drug users was 34.7% in Kathmandu in 2007 and ranged from 6.8% to 17.1% in other sites under surveillance4. HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSW)in 2006 was 1.4% in Kathmandu, 1. 5% in the Terai highway districts and 2% in Pokhara, confirming lower prevalence compared to 2004. Bio-behavioural surveys carried out among men who have sex with men in Kathmandu showed HIV prevalence figures of 3.3% in 2007 down from 3.9% in 2004. Similar survey among labour migrants showed HIV prevalence of 1.9% in 2006.
Reducing transmission among groups driving the HIV epidemic through high risk behaviours is crucial and needs to remain a focus of the response. The numbers of people living with HIV and in need of care has also increased. Vulnerability to HIV in Nepal is exacerbated by poverty, inequalities, instability, conflict and internal displacement as well as high risk behaviour. Insufficient coverage of targeted prevention for populations at highest risk is a particular challenge in view of high population mobility and proximity with India and China, both experiencing some of the largest epidemics in the region. |
| Contact Address |
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UNAIDS Nepal UN House P.O. Box 107, Pulchowk Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-5523200 Fax: 977-1-5528989 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |