The Epidemic of the Young: An Overview of the HIV/AIDS Situation and Current Preventive Activities in Uzbekistan

During its more than twenty-year history, HIV/AIDS has taken away millions of lives worldwide. Although at nascent stage, the epidemic is rapidly increasing in the Central Asian region. In Uzbekistan it is mainly driven by injecting drug users. Research shows that the epidemic has already found its way from the concentrated groups to the general population through heterosexual transmission, with more than fifty percent of the infections found among young people. This desk research is found on the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uzbekistan, and prevention activities taking place to address the epidemic spread among young people. Chapters 1 and 2 focused on the global picture of the epidemic, factors that exacerbate the spread of HIV, the impact of the epidemic on development and education sectors. Also, it looks at youth as a vulnerable group to the epidemic, and proved justification for the need to focus prevention programs on young people. Chapter 3 linked theoretical background with practical application. Thus, interventions recognized by the international community as best practices in addressing the issues of youth in the context of HIV/AIDS, were discussed. Chapter 4 focused specifically on the epidemic in the context of Uzbekistan, explored the activities and programs taking place in the country to halt the epidemic by the government, local and international organizations. The overview showed that there is not much emphasis on providing the population with information and skills to protect them from the epidemic. Very few initiatives are targeted at youth, who are in the context of Uzbekistan, its economic instability, cultural and religious beliefs, are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Concluding thoughts provide some suggestions for opening the dialogue between various stakeholders on designing and implementing programs for young people