Refugees and AIDS: UNAIDS point of view

The spread of HIV infection can be rapid in specific contexts such as poverty and social instability, war and civil strife. In situations of conflicts and war, for example, factors that encourage the spread of HIV among refugees and displaced persons include: the vulnerability to sexual abuse and violence, precocious sexual activity among young people, the occurrence of prostitution. Basic responses to prevent HIV transmission should include: access to information and condoms, screening of blood donations, provision of gloves and other supplies to ensure universal medical precautions.