Global Snapshot

Officials in Ivory Coast say efforts to provide medical care to the estimated 570,000 HIVers in the country is hampered by a rebellion that has split the country into two rival zones. Many aid groups, including the World Bank and the French government, have withdrawn financial support because of the conflict. '''''''''' Officials in Brazil reached an agreement with Abbott Laboratories in October that cuts the price of Kaletra from $1.17 to 63 cents per pill. The deal will save the government $339 million over the next six years. '''''''''' Newly reported HIV infections in Germany rose 20% in the first six months of 2005 over the same period in 2004. Men who have sex with men accounted for about 60% of the new infections. '''''''''' Researchers in South Africa say the number of HIV-positive people in the country has increased from 5.3 million in 2003 to 6.3 million. Women between 15 and 24 were three times more likely than men of the same age to be infected with HIV. '''''''''' The private-sector price of anti-HIV drugs in Zimbabwe has spiraled from about $7.70 for a one-month supply earlier this year to $46 in early October. Experts say a severe economic and political crisis in the country has led to the rising drug prices. '''''''''' Two sexual health organizations in the Netherlands are calling for more comprehensive sex education in schools because studies show more teens are having sex than they were 10 years ago and are becoming sexually active at younger ages. '''''''''' A health official in China says HIV education and prevention efforts in the country must include gay and bisexual men if they are to be successful. A recent survey found that 22% of China's gay and bisexual men reported having more than 100 sexual partners. '''''''''' The United Nations launched an HIV awareness campaign in September aimed at teenagers in Saudi Arabia, where discussions about sex are taboo and homosexuality is a crime. AIDS experts say an unwillingness to talk about safer sex could allow HIV to rapidly spread. '''''''''' Officials in Ethiopia announced in October that about 100 government hospitals and rural health care centers will begin providing free antiretroviral drugs to HIV patients. About 1.5 million Ethiopians are believed to be HIV-positive.