Women and HIV/AIDS

Fortunately, Iran is one of the safest countries in the world in regard to scourge of AIDS. Religious belief and deep-rooted traditions have been the strongest safeguards against the spread of AIDS in Iran .

Strict measures and screening of donated blood products by Iran 's Blood Transfusion Organization, as well as training, the institution of precautionary measures can be cited as other factors which have prevented the spread of AIDS in Iran .

In 1989, the first HIV positive woman was identified in Iran and the first AIDS-related female death was recorded in 1990. From 309 all AIDS cases 274 have died of which 91% are male and 9% are female.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in women is less than 0.0004.

The Government of Iran is starting an initiative telephone counseling and national distribution of 10,000,000 brochures on HIV and is also considering IEC interventions in public spaces. This is the first time that such a massive response to the epidemic is planned in country.

There are more than 154 sites for voluntary testing & counseling, and more than 600 sites only for voluntary counseling.

WHO provides technical support assisting the Ministry of Health and Medical Education with its national program to control HIV/AIDS. This also includes control of sexually transmitted infections. Some of the activities under taken are:

preventing HIV transmission through blood safety;

Gender-sensitive health promotion and education for individuals and families including high risk groups;

Conducting training workshops on control and prevention of HIV/AIDS; and

Developing local capacities and expertise on HIV studies, focusing on sexual behavior and awareness building among public and professional health workers.

Within the framework of a UNFPA joint project with Ministry of Education, 700,000 copies of a poster was produced on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. The poster was distributed nationwide. 200,000 copies of an accompanying brochure was also printed and distributed to 3rd and 4th grade teachers as well as to lower and upper secondary schools.

The Islamic Republic of Iran plans to take the lead in activities related to intravenous drug use under the HIV and livelihoods components by targeting male drug users. Their wives and families, as high risk groups, are also benefiting from the activities of this regional project.