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. 1999 Dec;10(12):812-4.
doi: 10.1258/0956462991913600.

HIV-infected workers deported from the Gulf States: impact on Southern Pakistan

S A Shah  1 , O A Khan, S Kristensen, S H Vermund
Affiliations

HIV-infected workers deported from the Gulf States: impact on Southern Pakistan

S A Shah et al. Int J STD AIDS. 1999 Dec.

Abstract

HIV prevalence is still very low in Pakistan, but its south Asian location and subgroups with recognized lifestyle risk factors suggest that Pakistan will experience expanded diffusion of HIV. We report the frequency of HIV infections identified by the AIDS Control Programme on the Sindh province of Pakistan. Most HIV-positive cases currently reported to the Sindh AIDS Control Programme are found among Pakistani workers deported from the Gulf States and among foreigners. The 58 returned workers with HIV represent 61 to 86% of reported cases in any given year during the 1996-1998 period. Five wives of returning workers have been identified with HIV. Expatriate workers in the Gulf States are tested for HIV routinely, unlike other subgroups in Pakistan. Considering the risk of HIV/AIDS due to regular introduction of HIV from returned workers, and the limited awareness surrounding sexual health and HIV/STD transmission issues in Pakistan, intervention programmes targeted at overseas workers need to be implemented to control the expansion of the HIV epidemic in Pakistan.

PIP: This paper reports the frequency of HIV infections identified by the AIDS Control Program on the Sindh province of Pakistan. Data collected for this paper originated from 10 HIV surveillance centers established in 1995 by the Sindh AIDS Control Program. Most HIV-positive cases reported are found among Pakistani workers deported from the Gulf States and among foreigners. The 58 returned workers with HIV represent 61-86% of reported cases in any given year during 1996-98. In addition, five wives of returning workers have been identified with HIV. However, it is noted that migrating workers are tested for HIV by Gulf State health officials routinely and are deported back to Pakistan if they tested positive, unlike the other subgroups in Pakistan. In view of the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission, intervention programs targeted at overseas workers need to be implemented to control the expansion of the HIV epidemic in the country.

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