5th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Chicago, IL - February 1-5, 1998

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 1998 Feb 1-5; 5th:232 (abstract no. S14)

Author; Wiput Phoolcharoen, AIDS Division, Thailand.

Thailand has had one of the most effective national responses to the HIV epidemic in the world. The multisectoral, society-wide prevention and care effort has produced major behavior change and substantially reduced the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease. Yet it has not been a static response - it has evolved and expanded dramatically over time as Thai society came to better understand the underlying causes of the epidemic and its implications for the country's future. As the body of research knowledge and experience in prevention and care grew, the response evolved from the rooted in traditional approaches to infectious disease to one emphasizing the empowerment of individuals, families, and communities to protect and care for themselves. It went from a response driven by a few NGOs and people in the Ministry of Health to one which actively engaged every sector of Thai society and gave everyone a role and a responsibility in responding. It moved from a program driven from the national level to one which emphasized local involvement at the provincial, district, and village level. Without its aggressive national response, much of Thailand would be as severely impacted by HIV/AIDS as the provinces of the upper north of the country. This is not the case because Thai society responded effectively and quickly to prevent transmission continues, although at lower rates than in the early days, and the most severe impacts of the epidemic are yet to come. But by taking a holistic approach, addressing the underlying causes of the epidemic, and building society's capacity to prevent and care, Thailand will be up to the challenge.

1998-02-01
S14

Copyright © 1998 - Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health. Licensed from National Library of Medicine.