National Aids Control Program In Lebanon

The HIV epidemic was introduced to Lebanon in 1984, with the 1st diagnosed AIDS case. Since then, the number of cases have been slowly but steadily rising which led the Ministry of Public Health(MOPH) to form the  National AIDS Control Program(NAP) in 1989. The NAP’s main aim is to limit the HIV and AIDS epidemic, gather statistics on reported cases of HIV/AIDS, coordinate with NGOs ministries, media, religious leaders, UN agencies and other key stakeholders and improve the situation of people living with HIV and limit its spread in Lebanon.

In the year 2011 (till November) 109 new cases of HIV/AIDS have been reported to the NAP in Lebanon. A significant number of these reported cases to the NAP (72%) have been linked to local spread whereas 28% are linked to travel and migration to endemic areas. Distribution of cases by age shows that the higher number of reported cases to the NAP is in the age group 31-50 years old 30%, whereas cases below 30 years constitute 28% and non-specified 33% . Gender distribution shows that 93% of the newly reported cases are among males compared to 7% for females. The major mode of HIV transmission is by sexual relations which represents 51% and non-specified constituted 47%. Of the total infections by sexual transmission 27.5% is through Heterosexual behavior, 22% Homosexual, 0.9% Bisexual and 49.6% Non-specified- which raises the question if those acquired the disease through the most stigmatized sexual practice such as homosexual practices. The vertical transmission (mother to child) of the disease is reported to be nil. Data on high risk groups (Intravenous Drug Users, sex workers, Prisoners), is incomplete, although the problem does exist. Blood Safety is relatively well controlled in the country. No new cases of HIV infections through blood transfused in Lebanon have been reported since 1993.

By the end of November 2011, the cumulative total of HIV/AIDS cases reported to the NAP reached 1455, whereas the UNAIDS estimates the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) to be 3600 [2700-4800]. Source UNAIDS Global Report 2011.