Eastern Europe

In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, there were 1.6 million PLWHAs in 2007, a 150% increase over 2001, when 630,000 cases were reported. Injection drug use and heterosexual transmission are largely responsible for this increase, but MSM also account for a growing number of infections. Women currently represent 26% of adults living with HIV/AIDS in the region. The Russian Federation and Ukraine account for the largest number of newly reported HIV infections.

Review of Country Progress Reports

Eastern European countries reviewed: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Russia.

1. Country Reporting: How Many Countries Reported on MSM?

Summary: Out of the 10 countries reviewed, one (Latvia) did not report on any of the five indicators. Two countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Estonia) reported on 1-3 indicators. Seven countries (Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, and Russia) reported on 4-5 indicators.

2. Seroprevalence: What percentage of MSM Are Living With HIV?

UNGASS Indicator: Percentage of MSM who are living with HIV.

Summary: Five countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, and Romania) did not report on HIV seroprevalence among MSM. Of the countries that reported on HIV seroprevalence among MSM, two (Belarus and Russia) reported prevalence below 1%. One country (Lithuania) reported an HIV seroprevalence of 1-2%. Two countries (Croatia and Moldova) reported HIV seroprevalence among MSM of 3-5%.

3. Testing: What Percentage of MSM Have Taken an HIV Test in the Last Year?

UNGASS Indicator: Percentage of MSM who received an HIV test in the last 12 months and who know their result

Summary: One country in the region (Latvia) did not report on HIV testing among MSM. Five countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Moldova, and Russia) reported HIV testing rates among MSM below 40%. Four countries (Belarus, Croatia, Estonia, and Romania) reported testing rates of 40-59% among MSM.

4. Knowledge: What Percentage of MSM Know How to Prevent HIV?

UNGASS Indicator: Percentage of MSM who both correctly identify ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and who reject major misconceptions about HIV transmission

Summary: Three countries in the region (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Latvia) did not report on the level of understanding among MSM of HIV prevention. Three countries (Estonia, Lithuania, and Russia) reported that 0-39% of MSM demonstrate accurate knowledge of HIV transmission. Four countries (Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania) reported rates of 40-59%.

5. Behavior: What Percentage of MSM Used a Condom the Last Time They Had Sex?

UNGASS Indicator: Percentage of men reporting the use of a condom the last time they had anal sex with a male partner

Summary: One of the countries (Latvia) did not report on condom use among MSM. One country (Bosnia and Herzegovina) reported a condom use rate of 0-19% among MSM. Six countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia) reported condom use rates of 40-59%. Two countries (Belarus and Romania) reported condom use rates of 60-79% among MSM.

6. Coverage: What Percentage of MSM Are Being Reached by HIV Prevention Programs?

UNGASS Indicator: Percentage of MSM reached with HIV prevention programs

Summary: Three countries in Eastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, and Latvia) did not know how many MSM are being reached by HIV prevention programs. One country (Russia) reported reaching less than 20% of MSM. One country (Bulgaria) reported reaching 20-39% of MSM. Three countries (Croatia, Lithuania, and Romania) reported reaching 40-59% of MSM. Two countries (Belarus and Moldova) reported reaching 60% of MSM or more.