HIV/AIDS Influences in Thailand




Lipa Noi beach on Koh Samui, Thailand11


Thailand is a beautiful and exotic country that is commonly known as “the land of smiles” due to the friendliness of its people. The word Thai literally means “freedom”, so Thailand is translated as the “land of the free” and the name was officially adopted in 1949. Previously the country was called Siam. Thailand is a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. The king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, holds little direct power under the constitution, but is the anointed protector of Thai Buddhism and is respected by his people. The king appoints the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the country.11

(Wikipedia, 2006)


Thailand Statistics2

Estimated population, July 2004: 64,865,523

Estimated people living with HIV, 2nd 2003: 570,000

Adults (15-49): 560,000

Woment (15-49): 200, 000

Children (0-15): 12,000

Estimated adult HIV prevalence, end 2003: 1.5%

Estimated number of AIDS deaths in 2003: 58,000



History of HIV/AIDS in Thailand

The origin of the Human Immunovirus and Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic in Thailand can be traced back to a single case in 1984. But is was not until 1988 that the first ‘wave’ was detected amongst the intravenous drug users. Through the Minstry of Public Health, subsequent ‘waves’ were detected and monitored. The second wave occurred in commercial sex workers (CSW), which spread the third wave to the male clients of CSW. The fourth wave involves the wives and girlfriends of these male patrons. The fifth and final wave has been appearing in the children born from HIV-positive mothers. It should be noted that the fourth and fifth waves have not been studied directly, but information is available through antenatal clinics.4

References
  1. Buckingham, R.W., Moraros, J., Bird, Y., Meister, E. & Webb, N.C. (2005). Factors associated with condom use among brothel-based female sex workers in Thailand. AIDS Care, 17(5), 640 – 647. Retrieved January 22, 2006 from Health Sciences database.

  2. Chutikul, S. (2004). “Thailand today” Keynote address at 22nd international conference. Retrieved April 3, 2006 from http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:pML-zKwyjkoJ:www.ipsl.org/PDFS/Jan7SaisureeChutikul.pdf+financial+gains+of+prostitution+in+thailand&hl=en&gl=ca&ct=clnk&cd=1

  3. Kanabus, A. & Fredriksson, J. (2006). HIV and AIDS in Thailand. Retrieved March 30, 2006 from http://www.avert.org/aidsthai.htm

  4. Klunklin, A & Greenwood, J. (2005). Buddhism, the status of women and the spread of HIV/AIDS in Thaliand. Health Care for Women International, 26, 46 – 61. Retrieved January 22, 2006 from Health Sciences database.

  5. Krisberg, K. (2004). HIV/AIDS epidemic a growing threat to world population. Nation’s Health, 34(7). Retrieved March 19, 2006 from Health Sciences database.

  6. Manopaiboon, C., Bunnell, R.E., Kilmarx, P.H., Chaikummao, S., Limpakarnjanarat, K., Supawitkul, S. St. Louis, M.E. & Mastro, T.D. (2003). Leaving sex work: Barriers, facilitating factors and consequences for female sex workers in northern Thailand. AIDS care, 15(1), 39 – 52. Retrieved March 19, 2006 from Health Sciences database.

  7. Morrison, L. (2004). Traditions in transition: Young people’s risk for HIV in Chaing Mai, Thailand. Qualitative Heath Research, 14(3), 328 – 344. Retrieved January 22, 2006 from Sage Nursing and Health Sciences database.

  8. Punpanich, W., Ungchusak, K. & Detels, R. (2004). Thailand’s response to the HIV epidemic: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. AIDS Education and Prevention, 16, 119 – 136. Retrieved March 19, 2006 from Health Sciences database.

  9. Rowe, G. (Producer), & O’Rourke, D. (Writer/Director). (1995). A good woman of Bangkok [Documentary]. Australia: O’Rourke & Associates Filmmakers.

  10. Satyawadhna, C. (2005). Thai-Buddhist leadership and Muslim grassroots women in the game of ‘terrorism’ war : The unrest southern Thailand crisis. Retrieved April 10, 2006 from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/eql-men/docs/EP.11_short_version.pdf

  11. Wikipedia. (2006). Prostitution in Thailand. Retrieved April 3, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:LocationThailand.png

  12. Deep, D. (2005). Pictures of Thailand. Retrieved April 7, 2006 from http://www.xs4all.nl/~devadeep/index.html

  13. Avert.org.(2006).AIDS treatment target & results. Retrieved April 7, 2006 from http://avert.org/aidstarget.htm

    Created by Jennifer Traill


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