By Trisha Wood

The highest rates of HIV infection can be found in Southern Africa, Botswana to be exact. According to a 2004 national study, as many as 69% of women in their 30’s living in Fracistown, Botswana are HIV positive. In China, the blood-selling business that seeks blood plasma to manufacture drugs poses a risk of HIV infection as officials fail to enforce safety regulations.

Cultural factors continue to play a large role in the spread of HIV in Panama including the denial of its existence. Volunteers working in some indigenous areas report the local community’s belief that they have “pure” blood that gives them immunity to HIV. Another indigenous community attempted to dismiss the health center doctor because she spoke about HIV/AIDS and sexuality in a World AIDS Day presentation.

However, we are lucky in Panama. As of December 2006, Panama has the third highest HIV infection rate in Central America, 0.92 percent for adults between 15 and 49 years old (Bortman et al.).

With a rate less than one percent, the international community considers Panama a low-prevalence and thus, low-priority country.

However, spotty surveillance and lack of services lead many experts to suspect an underreporting of HIV infections in rural areas. According to a report by the UNAIDS and World Bank, the estimated rate for adults (15 to 49 years old) is as high as 1.5 percent, making Panama the country with the second highest HIV infection rate in Central America (World Bank Global HIV/AIDS Program).

2006 marked the first year that the Ministry of Health supplied local health centers with the rapid HIV test for pregnant women. Although these results will only include pregnant women, we are likely to gain a lot of information on the general population and may see an increase in the prevalence of HIV, especially in rural areas.

With the help of President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding in 2006, Peace Corps Volunteers educated over 10,000 Panamanians on HIV/AIDS.

These projects included youth health seminars, health promoter trainings, health fairs, and dominos and volleyball contests to encourage community participation. Our evaluation results of these projects show small changes in knowledge and attitudes.

The next step is behavior change. Volunteers should be models for their community, especially with youth. Form youth groups and work with them on the development of life skills in order to make healthy decisions. It is through these small efforts that we can begin to see big change. It may be just one person today, but tomorrow it could be two or three and next year, 100.

Sunday, May 20th marks the 24th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Leading the Way to a World Without AIDS. The event began as a remembrance of those infected with HIV and those who died from AIDS, but continues today as an activity to promote HIV awareness and prevention. This event is a great way for volunteers to start or continue HIV/AIDS prevention education and behavior change in volunteers' communities.

May 2007