DECEMBER 1ST IS WORLD AIDS DAY
Marianna Gyurjyan

"Radiolur"
01.12.2008 13:04

Today is the 1st of December, the World AIDS Day, the day when
individuals and organisations from around the world come together
to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th
anniversary of World AIDS Day.

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the first World
AIDS Day in an effort to raise public awareness about HIV/AIDS issues,
including the need for support and understanding for people living
with HIV/AIDS. The day is also an opportunity to highlight the need
for continued development of education and prevention initiatives.

Over the past 20 years, World AIDS Day has been established as one of
the world’s most successful commemorative days. It is now recognized
and observed by millions of people in more than 190 countries around
the globe.

In 2004 Armenia started implementing a state HIV/AIDS prevention
program.

This year 111 new HIV cases were registered in Armenia. Males prevail
among HIV carriers.

Most HIV cases have been registered in Yerevan. Shirak marz comes
second.

The main routes are the heterosexual relations and the use of
drugs. In some cases the disease has passed from mother to the child,
or contamination has taken place in a homosexual way.

"The results of investigation of 2005-2007 showed that the biological
and behavioral indices have improved," say s Samvel Grigoryan,
director of the center of AIDS prevention, adding that the HIV among
drug addicts has decreased from9.3 to 6.8 percent.

"The spread of the disease can be prevented by means of a targeted
complex program," Samvel Grigoryan says.

"People with AIDS have no problem with treatment in Armenia, scientific
head of the "Armenikum" program Emil Gabrielyan says. In his words,
about 60 persons underwent treatment this year.