WHO Says Gay Men Fuelling HIV/AIDS Spread in Asia

The World Health Organization today warned that unprotected sex between men is furthering the spread of HIV in Asia. WHO's statement was issued by its Manila-based Regional Office for the Western Pacific, which is co-sponsoring an AIDS conference in Hong Kong this week.

"Studies show that at present, the proportion of HIV infections being transmitted among men who have sex with men is larger and more significant than we originally believed," said Massimo Ghidinelli, WHO's regional AIDS advisor. According to WHO's statement, "Asia is believed to have the world's largest number of [MSM], estimated at 10 million." WHO noted that MSM in China have a 45-fold greater risk of HIV infection than the general population.

The latest report from UNAIDS showed that prevention interventions targeting MSM were reaching just 1 percent of this population. In fact, national strategic HIV/AIDS plans in most Asia-Pacific countries do not include MSM and transgender persons. This lack of attention to the MSM population can be traced to anti-homosexual sentiments common in some societies in the region, WHO said.

"Action needs to be taken now if a major increase in HIV/AIDS cases is to be averted," Ghidinelli said. "We need to target HIV prevention strategies, together with better access to health services, for [MSM]."

Additional sponsors of this week's Hong Kong meeting include the UN Development Program, UNAIDS, and the Hong Kong Department of Health.

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