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National Committee for the Control of AIDS, Vientiane, Lao PDR. |
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Mid-term review - National Committee for the Control of AIDS Bureau (NCCAB), Vientiane. |
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Hospitality workers, transport workers, traders, construction workers, and migrant factory workers are vulnerable groups. |
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Road construction will attract a large number of migrant workers. |
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Khammaoune Provincial Committee for the Control of AIDS. |
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| The Project supports counseling activities. |
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BCC Planning Workshop, Vientiane, 18-20 September 2002. |
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The Lao PDR has a population of 5 million: about half are ethnic Lao and the others are from several ethnic minority groups. The five largest ethnic minorities - the Hmong, Katang, Khmu, Leu, and Phutai - number 1.5 million.
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HIV transmission in the Lao PDR has so far been slow and limited. Seroprevalence is estimated to be 0.5%. 932 individuals with positive HIV tests have been recorded through the routine reporting system of a total of 84,137 tests performed. Second generation surveillance in 2000-2001 found that only 6 of 811 (0.74%) female service workers in entertainment sites were HIV positive. STI rates among this group, however, were found to be very high:
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These high STI rates suggest
the presence of significant amounts of high risk behavior in
the country. Coupled with the presence of neighbors with
significant HIV epidemics, this suggests the population may be
vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
The Lao PDR borders Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan province of the People’s Republic of China, where HIV/AIDS prevalence rates are relatively high.
Seasonal migration to northeast Thailand and Bangkok is large; a significant proportion of migrants are sex workers. A recent ADB study identifies hospitality workers, transport workers, traders, construction workers, and migrant factory workers as vulnerable groups.
As the Lao PDR becomes more economically integrated with neighboring countries, its vulnerability to HIV/AIDS will increase. Two major roads are planned to link the country to Yunnan province, Thailand, and Vietnam. The construction of these roads will attract many migrant workers. After the construction is completed, the mobility of trucks and workers through the country will increase.
Large dams for hydroelectricity are also planned and
their construction will attract many construction workers. The country
clearly faces a substantial challenge from HIV/AIDS.
The project is implemented in Laos by the National Committee for the Control of AIDS Bureau (NCCAB), within the Priority Action Plan of the Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2002-2005.
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