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HIV rife among Asian men

Stigma, intolerance, and government inaction are fuelling the rapid spread of HIV - the virus that causes Aids - among gay and bisexual men in Asia, says a report.

The survey of nearly two dozen countries found that HIV rates among men who have sex with men could be as high as 28 percent in Bangkok, Thailand; 16 percent in Andhra Pradesh, India; and 14 percent in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Agence France Presse reported.

"...these data represent an alarming trend, since male-male sexual activity in the region is diverse, often completely hidden, and beyond the reach of current prevention efforts," the report's authors noted.

The report was written by a Bangkok-based group called TREAT Asia, an initiative of the US AIDS campaign organization amFAR, AFP reported.

"Governments in the region and international donors need to support appropriate prevention, care and treatment efforts for MSM (men who have sex with men) populations, or face a spiralling epidemic that could be far worse than any seen in gay communities in the West," said Keven Frost, director of TREAT Asia. – (HealthDayNews)

Read more:
HIV/Aids Centre

August 2006

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