The Asia and Pacific region, with around seven million people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, ranks second in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa for HIV prevalence. The region is vast and diverse. Countries have varied epidemiological patterns of HIV and AIDS with generalised versus concentrated, versus low level epidemics. Regional trends indicate dramatic increases in infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).1 Asia and Pacific currently account for about 20% of new annual HIV infections globally. Transmission routes vary country by country, with unprotected commercial sex, heterosexual sex, homosexual and bisexual sex, and sharing of injecting equipment among injecting drug use all playing a greater or lesser part.
