PHI: Six Homosexuals Infected with HIV in Albania

Dritan Ziu

23 November 2005

According to the studies of the Public Health Institute (PHI), six homosexuals and two persons from the Roma community were infected with HIV/AIDS in 2005.

The study also presented alarming results regarding other sexually transmitted diseases, such as the Syphilis and Hepatitis, with new 25 cases of syphilis reported this year. The lack of information, discrimination and unprotected sex, are some of the causes for the new infections. This is the first study of such a wide scope conducted in Albania.

�There are no dangerous persons, only dangerous behaviour� says Klodjan Rrjepaj, the Director of the PHI�s HIV/AIDS Programme. �In our country certain groups often uninformed, are the main reason of the way of behaviour, making them more susceptible to these diseases�.

The use of intravenous drugs and syringes, engaging in unprotected sex with many partners, are some of the behavioural patterns of the endangered groups. These groups can affect the whole population, due to the infective characteristics of the diseases.

The study involved drug users, homosexuals, members of Roma community, and other categories of people. The results note these three groups as the most susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, which doesn�t mean that the other social segments are immune. Poverty is also an important factor that increases the risks from contracting sexually transmitted diseases, due to the lack of information and emancipation.