AIDS Menace
HIV has come as a stealthy but lethal killer as AIDS is projected as the
leading cause of death for Nepalis in the age group of 15-49 in the next decade. The WHO
estimates that more than 34,000 people are living with AIDS at present in Nepal. Alarming
as it may sound, HIV prevalence is increasing at a rapid rate among both sex workers and
injecting drug users. This is not to give the impression that the rest of the population
is safe or at a lower risk. In fact, it will not be an understatement if the general
population of Nepal is called highly vulnerable to the spread of AIDS epidemic.
Vulnerability can be both due to lack of education and awareness among the high-risk
groups like sex workers and the poor and also because the smugness among the educated and
upper class population. It is also that unsuspecting section of population, who consider
themselves considerably risk-free, that is vulnerable. For example, 80% of young girls
between 15-19 years do not know that people with HIV infection look healthy and 93% of
sexually active women do not think that they are at risk. Vulnerability means that certain
factors, or a combination of factors do not allow people to protect themselves. One main
reason can be lack of knowledge. But then, there are also other factors at work such as
gender inequality, stigma and outmodel beliefs. For instance, women in general find it
difficult to ask their partners for safe sex and taboos do not allow them access to
information and protective means.
A comprehensive strategy which addresses as aspects of the problems, is
required to combat this scourge of a killer epidemic effectively. It is not only poverty
or illiteracy or gender inequality which is responsible for ineffective prevention of the
epidemic. Equally responsible are social stigmatisation of the AIDS victims and the taboo
attached to the condition itself. As long as the acceptance that HIV/ AIDS has now entered
the stage of a concentrated epidemic in Nepal does not register with all those who matter
we cannot see much behaviour change forthcoming. AIDS will have to be accepted as any
other epidemic that threatens our population and social stigma attached to the condition
must be shed. If we are to promote safe behaviour among all sections of population, the
right social environment has to be created.
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