Situation Analysis of HIV/AIDS in Albania: Case-study

Abstract

Albania today is still a low HIV prevalence country, but major concerns exist that since the 1990s there has been an uncontrollable increase in the risk-behaviours coupled with spontaneous massive internal and external migration, and a lack of information about the causes and prevention of HIV/AIDS. By the end of 2004, there were 149 HIV cases in Albania, of which 48 cases of AIDS (with 25 deaths). Sexual transmission, both homosexual and heterosexual, accounts for over 90% of HIV cases in Albania and the age-group most affected is 30-40 years old. The majority of reported HIV cases were acquired outside Albania. According to projections of the National HIV/AIDS Program, in 2010, the number of HIV cases might reach 10,000-15,000 if the necessary prevention measures would not be taken. Thus, after 2000, there was an emerging need for a national strategy of control and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Albania. This was due to the increasing number of new cases every year as a consequence of risky behaviors especially among the risk-sexually active population. By the end of 2003, the Ministry of Health approved the National Strategy of Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS in Albania: 2004-2010. As Albania has signed the Millennium Declaration, the approval of the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS confirms the commitment of the government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.