Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - November 24, 2004
The kingdom began monitoring AIDS, short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, 20 years ago.
The release of the figures came ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, which Saudi Arabia plans to mark by holding lectures and distributing pamphlets explaining how people contract the HIV virus and means of protection, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported.
Nasser bin Saleh al-Khuzeim, head of the state-run Health Control Center, said 1,743 of those suffering from AIDS here were Saudi Arabians, 588 of whom have since died as a result of the virus.
Last year, officials said there were 6,787 AIDS cases, which included 1,509 Saudis.
No reasons were given for the apparent increase, but the numbers of people affected by the epidemic have been increasing worldwide.
Al-Khuzeim said 82% of Saudis with AIDS were men ages 15-49, while 95% of Saudis infected by the virus contracted it through sexual intercourse.
No details were given about the remaining 18% of Saudis with the disease.
Last year, Saudi authorities said 77% of the Saudi AIDS cases were men ages 15-49.
Among non-Saudis, 30% were found to have the disease when they applied or renewed resident permits and another 22% were detected after visiting Saudi hospitals for medical treatment.
The kingdom immediately deports foreigners testing positive with the HIV virus, which is thought to cause AIDS.
The low number of cases could be partly because of the kingdom's tight social controls based on strict Islamic law, which prohibit premarital sex, relations outside marriage and homosexuality. Penalties for adultery or fornication include imprisonment, public stonings or beheadings.
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