title: [Epidemiological environment and response to the HIV epidemic in Bolivia].
abstract: With AIDS/HIV, early detection is of key importance to public health, as well as disseminating prevention information and providing timely and appropriate treatment. In Bolivia, at the end of 2006 approximately 50% had AIDS at the time of diagnosis, detection having occurred late in the illness. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Bolivia is concentrated, with prevalence rates over 5% among the at-risk population, primarily men who have sex with men. From January 1984 through October 2006, the total number of HIV/AIDS cases reported in Bolivia rose to 2 190, with 1 239 HIV and 951 AIDS cases, and underreporting estimated to be over 70% country-wide. The United National Joint Program on AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated that by the end of 2006 there would be 6 700 people living with HIV/AIDS in Bolivia. In the context of this scenario, the article describes the challenges facing the HIV/AIDS program and the strategies developed to address the epidemic in Bolivia. In addition, the UNAIDS/PAHO strategies are stressed and must get underway for HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in the country.
authors.affiliation: Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud, Bolivia. jprotto@bol.ops-oms.org
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Protto
authors.forename: Diddie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schaaf
authors.forename: Marco Fidel
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Darras
mesh_terms: D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans