AEGiS-15IAC: Migration and HIV/AIDS epidemic in Armenia.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Migration and HIV/AIDS epidemic in Armenia.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10203)

Grigoryan SR, Hakobyan AZ, Sirakanyan HA
Armenian National AIDS prevention Center, Yerevan, Armenia

ISSUES: From 1988 to December 1, 2003, 247 HIV carriers were registered in the Republic of Armenia, 235 of them are citizens of the Republic of Armenia. 50.4% of the infected individuals temporarily inhabited in the Russian Federation (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Irkoutsk, Rostov and Surgut) and the Ukraine (Odessa, Kiev and Mareupol) and were probably infected with HIV there. 62% of all the cases of HIV infection registered this year are migrants. According to the official statistics data (as of 2002) the migration growth of the population is -2.9.

DESCRIPTION: In 2003 HIV prevention activities were conducted among migrants and their family members of Gavar city, Gegharkunik Marz (the country region). Peer educators were trained within the framework of the activities implementation. As a result of the training some peer educators were selected for conducting peer education activities among migrants. The activities were carried out by them during five months of 2003. The migrants covered by the activities were provided with information/education materials and condoms. Also hotline counseling service was set up for providing anonymous hotline counseling to the migrants and their family members. The hotline counseling addressed HIV/AIDS and drug use-related issues prevention. It was also aimed at promotion of safer sexual behavior.

LESSONS LEARNED: The activities implementation has resulted in increasing the number of the migrants and their family members wishing to be covered by and involved in similar activities. The number of those applying to hotline services has increased drastically towards the end of activities implementation.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Implementation of similar activities among migrants in other regions of the country would decrease their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, which would reduce spread of HIV infection in Armenia.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Emigration and Immigration, Disease Outbreaks, Condoms, Transients and Migrants, Sexual Behavior, Demography, Peer Group, Population, Behavior, Infection, Armenia, Ukraine, Moscow, organization & administration, education

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C10203