The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in China: History, Current Strategies and Future Challenges

Abstract

This article reviews the epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS, the Chinese national policy development in response to the epidemic, and disparities between policies and the need for AIDS prevention in China. The HIV epidemic in China has gone through three phases, and it is now at the rapid expansion phase. Since 1988, HIV/AIDS has been addressed from a legal perspective, but in the early stages laws and regulations actually hindered HIV control efforts. Since 1995 efforts have been made to improve policy decisions. Two major strategic plans were issued in 1998 and 2001, with increased government funding for implementation. Although the challenges facing HIV/AIDs control in China are many, the Chinese government is making a stronger commitment for implementing effective AIDS control measures in the country.

Injection drug use and HIV/AIDS transmission in China

“…Male IDUs tend to have more sexual contacts than men who do not use drugs, and few use condoms regularly [41]. Meanwhile the number of HIV infections is rising among female commercial sex workers in China, many of whom are drug users who trade sex for money or drugs.…”

Re-entry and related predictors among HIV-infected clients receiving methadone maintenance treatment in Guangdong province, China

“…In response, the Chinese government introduced MMT in 2004 to control the rapid spread of both heroin use and HIV transmission (12,13). (14,15).…”

Methadone maintenance treatment and mortality in HIV-positive people who inject opioids in China

“…[2][3][4] The epidemic soon spread through commercial plasma donation, sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission. 3 In response, since 2004 the Chinese government has implemented comprehensive strategies for treating both HIV infection and drug dependence involving, respectively, a National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Programme and a National Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programme.…”