Jamaica
With 1.5 percent of the adult population estimated to be HIV-positive and no significant change over the last five years, Jamaica appears to have stabilized its HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, recent data from high-risk groups suggest that at least 9 percent of commercial sex workers and 20 to 30 percent of men who have sex with men are estimated to be HIV-positive. Men and women aged 20 to 39 account for 54 percent of reported AIDS cases in Jamaica. First detected in 1982, HIV is present in all of Jamaica’s parishes, but Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. James – the three most urbanized parishes – have the majority of cases. UNAIDS estimates that 25,000 people in Jamaica are HIV-infected.
Through USAID, Jamaica in fiscal year 2007 received $1.3 million for essential HIV/AIDS programs and services. USAID considers prevention of HIV/AIDS among most-at-risk groups, including youth, and reduction of stigma and discrimination among the general population to be among its primary strategic health objectives for Jamaica. Current activities focus on expanding and building capacity for collection and use of strategic information and promoting prevention of HIV through community-based outreach to vulnerable groups. USAID/Jamaica also promotes public-private partnerships through its support of the Jamaica Business Council on HIV/AIDS.
View the USAID HIV/AIDS Health Profile for Jamaica - September 2008 [PDF, 114KB]
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