HIV/AIDS surveillance in Egypt: current status and future challenges.
By international standards, HIV/AIDS prevalence is low in Egypt (< 0.1%). However, questions about the accuracy of this figure are coupled with fears of an imminent increase in prevalence, with evidence suggesting that, despite Egypt's conservative culture, high-risk behaviour is more widespread than commonly reported and the country's changing socioeconomic context is perpetuating this trend. Through an analysis of the current HIV/AIDS surveillance system in Egypt, this paper explores some of the unique challenges this country faces in dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It concludes that constraints, such as Egypt's cultural norms and laws, the population's lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the bureaucratic health system, hinder the development and implementation of effective surveillance systems.
Boutros
S
S
Center for International Health and Development, University College London, London, United Kingdom. sboutros@doctors.org.uk
Skordis
J
J
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D004534:Egypt; D005544:Forecasting; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012922:Social Change; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data