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February 29, 2008
Transport Sector Fueling Spread of HIV in Asia
On February 28, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that its lending to Asia’s transport sector may be contributing to the spread of HIV on the continent, reports Agence France-Presse (afp.google.com, 2/28).
The bank announced, for example, a 16 percent HIV prevalence along one transport route in southern India, compared with a national HIV rate of less than 1 percent.
According to the ADB, construction projects that improve transportation and infrastructure also lead to an increase in commercial sex work, and drug and human trafficking.
“Better roads bring many benefits but also increase risks through greater mobility and connectivity,” the ADB said. “Mobile people, especially ‘mobile men with money’ are more likely to engage in risk behaviors such as unprotected sex with casual partners and sex workers, and drug use.”
The ADB says it will work to incorporate prevention, education and treatment programs into the transport sector.
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