Revisiting the AIDS Epidemic in Pakistan: Where We Stand and What We Must Aim For

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the major cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans, where the immune system totally succumbs to the virus. A large proportion of the AIDS infected belong to developing countries and AIDS prevalence is intensified by severe poverty, malnutrition, and famine; fatal illnesses with a scorn shortage of medical amenities complemented with the lack of education and development. Current Pakistani health system setting is in a dire need of improvement. Low literacy rates, high birth rates, and associated maternal mortality plus a lack of clean drinking water and appropriate sanitation system have a serious impact on general living conditions contributing to a relatively short lifespan. HIV is, therefore, becoming a growing health concern in Pakistan with a rapid rise in the reported cases. AIDS is most prevalent among injection drug users (IDUs), male/female sex workers, and unchecked deported migrant workforce. To combat this virus, the Pakistan Government has been working hard over the past few years with local bodies and international organizations in an effort to combat this menace. This review aims to discuss the risk factors for the rise of this epidemic in the country and the recommendations, efforts to be done to address this alarming issue.

Frequency of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) Infections at Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi from 2017-2019

“…The national surveillance data notified three main causes of the spread of HIV in the country including sexual contact, injectable drugs and insecure blood transfusions [15][16][17][18] . Concerning these risk factors, sexual contact was predominant in this study 19 .…”

Rising HIV seroconversion rates & associated risks among employees of organization ‘X’: A case control study, Pakistan, 2017

“…10 Available studies done on HIV in Pakistan are mostly focused on Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWID) / sex workers or are investigations of localized outbreaks. 11 There is a paucity of data on HIV dynamics in other high risk populations like migrant workers as well as in general population. Local outbreak investigations are limited by short duration of follow up and regional applicability of results.…”