Papua New Guinea is experiencing a growing HIV epidemic, with high levels of STDs in many areas around the country and widespread high-risk sexual practices. It is the only country in East and Southeast Asia where the male/female ratio for HIV/AIDS cases is 1:1. For the number of AIDS infections in the age group 15-29, women outnumber men.

Source: UNAIDS

In the light of the expanding HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea, there is an urgent need to increase the availability of condoms and to promote condom use. However, major condom shortages and stock-out situations throughout Papua New Guinea have serious implications for the prevention of HIV and other STDs. For example, during 2000, condoms were not available on a regular basis in many health centres. Projects targeting high-risk groups (such as sex-workers) have also run out of condoms. In research studies with sex workers, lack of condoms and not resistance from clients was given as the major reason for not using condoms. [i]

Facts about HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea

By the end of 1999, the total number of reported HIV positive cases in Papua New Guinea had reached 2,342. [ii]
A third of known HIV cases were first reported in 1999, indicating a growing epidemic. [iii]
94% of the infections were acquired through unprotected sexual intercourse. [iv]
The second most common way of transmission is from mother to child during pregnancy and labour. It is estimated that about 9% of the cases are due to mother to child transmission. This is the highest rate in the region. [v]
In a study in Port Moresby, 60% of married men acknowledged engaging in commercial sex activities. [vi]
A recent prevalence study among female sex workers in Port Moresby recorded HIV-infection rates of 17%. [vii]
AIDS is now the leading cause of death in the Port Moresby General Hospital Medical Ward. [viii]
The number of new infections is growing by about 30% a year. [ix]

" The average age for women to be infected so far is about 28, as against 35 for men. The women seem to bear the brunt."

Dr Clement Malau,
Director, National AIDS Council Secretariat Papua New Guinea,
Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2001

The Transex Project

The Transex project, for transport and sex workers, began in 1996. It built on extensive research conducted by the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, exploring both behavioural risk factors and STD epidemiology. From the beginning, the project operated in the shadow of a dramatically escalating HIV epidemic, a free-fall economy and a roller-coaster political scene. Despite these obstacles, the project provided the first successful example of a targeted intervention for HIV in Papua New Guinea. Among the results:

· Sex workers developed their own organization
· Police and transport workers were trained as peer educators
· Condom use increased in high-risk groups
· HIV voluntary counselling testing increased

The project provided the first real home-grown expertise in peer education and numerous other HIV issues to the national programme, NGOs and community groups.

UNAIDS Case Study:
" Female sex worker HIV prevention projects", November 2000

[i] WHO (2000): "Mission Report Papua New Guinea 20-29 March 2000", p6

[ii] WHO/ National AIDS Council Papua New Guinea (2000): "Consensus Report on STI, HIV and AIDS Epidemiology Papua New Guinea", p2

[iii] WHO (2000): "Mission Report Papua New Guinea 20-29 March 2000", p1

[iv] UNAIDS APICT (2000):" Get a Picture" UNAIDS Asia Pacific Intercountry Team, June 2000, p3

[v] United Nations (2000): "Draft; United Nations Mission on Papua New Guinea 19-23 February 2001-04-17, p1

[vi] WHO (2000): "Mission Report Papua New Guinea 20-29 March 2000", Executive Summary

[vii] ibid

[viii] WHO/ National AIDS Council Papua New Guinea (2000): "Consensus Report on STI, HIV and AIDS Epidemiology Papua New Guinea", p7

[ix] Sydney Morning Herald (2001):" PNG: A Country's hopes fade as disease stalks the best and brightest",31 March 2001

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Women, Gender and HIV/AIDS in East and Southeast Asia

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Facts about HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA