Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT1064
2006-07-05 12:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

CURRENT STATE OF HIV/AIDS PROGRAMS IN OMAN

Tags:  TBIO KHIV SOCI MU 
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Patrick X Disney 07/08/2006 08:21:36 AM From DB/Inbox: Patrick X 
Disney

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
UNCLAS MUSCAT 01064

SIPDIS
MUSCATCX:
 ACTION: POLE
 INFO: OMC DAO DCM AMB PAO POLM

DISSEMINATION: POLE
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB:GGRAPPO
DRAFTED: POLE:PDISNEY
CLEARED: POLE:MSNOWDEN

VZCZCATI007
RR RUEHC RUEHZM
DE RUEHMS #1064 1861234
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051234Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6847
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001064 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/GAC, NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KHIV SOCI MU
SUBJECT: CURRENT STATE OF HIV/AIDS PROGRAMS IN OMAN

REF: 04 MUSCAT 983

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Summary
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UNCLAS MUSCAT 001064

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/GAC, NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KHIV SOCI MU
SUBJECT: CURRENT STATE OF HIV/AIDS PROGRAMS IN OMAN

REF: 04 MUSCAT 983

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Summary
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1. A UNICEF report outlining its next five-year plan for
Oman, done in cooperation with the Ministry of Health,
provided updated statistics on the AIDS picture. While HIV
rates remain low and numerically static, incidence of other
sexually transmitted diseases is rising. The Ministry of
Health has committed to addressing HIV/AIDS through a
National Program for HIV/AIDS/STD Control, utilizing in
particular a toll-free information hotline to answer
questions from the population. End Summary.

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AIDS in Oman
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2. According to the April 2006 UNICEF report, there are
currently 845 registered cases of HIV, which leads
authorities to believe the actual number of HIV cases in Oman
to be approximately 1,200. Out of a population of 2.3
million, this represents a prevalence rate of 0.1 percent in
the critical 15-49 age group, placing Oman solidly in the
ranks of low-prevalence nations. The most troubling aspect
is that incidence of sexually transmitted diseases has risen
markedly in recent years: going from 33 per 100,000 persons
in 2000 to 72 in 2003.


3. Polls show that the number of new HIV cases per year
remains constant at around 80, with transmission by sexual
activity (homo/heterosexual) accounting for 62% of all cases.
Intravenous drug use accounts for 4%, mother-to-child
transmission makes up 4%, multiple modes account for 12%, and
26% of cases are of unknown origin. In the last ten years,
more than 90% of AIDS cases in Oman were contracted through
sexual intercourse and drugs. According to one survey of
Omani 16-18 year-olds, 99.0% of males and 98.3% of females
have some knowledge of AIDS. Oman and UNICEF have set as
their goal by 2010 to reduce the number of young people
living with HIV by 25 percent.

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AIDS Programs in the Sultanate
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4. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the need to
address HIV/AIDS in Oman, and has instituted a public
awareness campaign with facts about the disease, its methods
of transmission, and options for treatment. The state-run
Educational Resources Center is heavily involved in tackling
the problem, with its most successful program being the
toll-free HIV/AIDS/STD information hotline (funded in part by
a Dutch government grant). The hotline provides confidential
counseling, and arranges for free voluntary testing and
treatment. Average monthly call volumes range greatly
between 15 and 40, with increases in volume directly related
to promotional activities such as a recent text-messaging
campaign, after which the call volume spiked to 2,000.

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Who are the callers and what to they ask?
--------------


5. According to the operators, only about 20-35% of callers
are females. More than 60% of callers do not know how the
disease is transmitted, with some knowing nothing at all
about prevention measures. Negative attitudes and
discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS were also
noted. For the most part, callers want to know more about
transmission and prevention of the disease. Although there
are not enough human resources to cover the needs of the
hotline, UNICEF has dubbed Oman's hotline service "the best
equipped in the Middle East and North Africa Region."
The Ministry of Health has committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in
Oman, and pledged to maintain support for the services that
will ultimately benefit the Omani people, particularly the
youth. According to UNICEF, the Millennium Development Goal
targets for Oman appear to be within reach, with commendable
progress made. The national Program for HIV/AIDS/STD Control
website may be found through www.moh.gov.om.
GRAPPO