HIV Epidemics Emerging in Middle East, North Africa - Study

The Middle East and North Africa are sites of emerging HIV outbreaks among men who have sex with men (MSM), with unsafe sexual practices risking wider transmission of the virus, researchers reported Tuesday.

The pioneering study in the sexually ultra-conservative region was conducted by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. The authors found evidence of concentrated epidemics, where HIV infection rates were above 5 percent in a certain population group, in countries including Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia. In one Pakistan setting, the infection rate was as high as 28 percent, according to the study.

There are little published data on HIV in the region, the authors noted. “It’s like the black hole in the global HIV map, and this has triggered many controversies and debates around the status of the epidemic,” said lead study researcher Ghina Mumtaz.

Using unpublished data gathered by several groups, Mumtaz and colleague Laith Abu-Raddad developed their analysis, which points to “considerable and increasing epidemiological evidence on HIV and risk behavior” among MSM throughout the region. They also learned that by 2008, 25 percent of documented HIV cases in several countries were attributable to anal sex between men.

Researchers advise immediate expansion of HIV monitoring, testing, prevention, and treatment for MSM to stave off spread of the virus.

Although male-male sex is taboo and stigmatized in the region, Mumtaz asserted some countries have found “creative ways of dealing with problems” in light of the societal “sensitivities.” Countries such as Morocco, Lebanon, and Pakistan have supported the efforts of non-governmental organizations with disenfranchised populations without any direct government involvement.

“These programs need to be expanded and initiated in the rest of the countries,” said Mumtaz.

The study, “Are HIV Epidemics Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Emerging in the Middle East and North Africa?: A Systematic Review and Data Synthesis,” was published in the Public Library of Science Medicine (2011;8(8):e1000444 doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000444).

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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