PORT VILA - Vanuatu is home to approximately 230,000 people living on around 65 islands. The first HIV positive case was reported in 2002, and as of 2015 there have been nine reported HIV cases, six of whom are living. While the number of HIV cases is low, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly prevalent. This creates a context in which HIV could rapidly spread.
WHO works with the Albion Centre in Sydney, Australia – a WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building and Health Care Worker Training in HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment and Support – in line with three global strategies on HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and STIs. In 2016–2017, the Centre supported WHO's work with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health on surveillance, prevention, care and treatment of STIs, including HIV.
Access to HIV testing in Vanuatu is limited due to logistical challenges and dispersed island populations, stigmatization of key populations, and low health literacy. Risk factors for HIV transmission in Vanuatu include high rates of STIs, early sexual debut, high rates of adolescent pregnancies and low condom usage. Among people 15–49 years, 90% have heard of AIDS, yet only one in five possess comprehensive HIV knowledge and only 10% of women and 19% of men express tolerance and acceptance of people living with HIV.
The Vanuatu Ministry of Health, WHO and the WHO Collaborating Centre have been training health-care workers in use of the Vanuatu National Guideline on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection (2016).
In August 2017, 16 doctors, nurses and pharmacists attended training on HIV pathogenesis, testing, psychosocial issues, antiretroviral therapy, STIs, engagement in care, prevention and harm reduction. Through a pre- and post-training questionnaire, participants reported significant increases in intention to implement practices in their workplaces, including:
- ”Patients who present with a sexually transmissible infection will be offered an HIV test.”
- “Doctors will give the same quality care to people with or at risk of HIV as other patients.”
- “People taking antiretroviral therapy will be educated about possible side effects.”
With coordination from WHO, the WHO Collaborating Centre looks forward to providing ongoing support to countries in the Western Pacific Region.
Learn more:
Ministry of Health of Vanuatu, Global AIDS progress report Vanuatu 2015