Sexual behaviour related to HIV/AIDs: Commercial sex and condom use in Hanoi, Viet Nam

Abstract

Globally, 40 million adults and children were living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) at the end of 2001. Of infected adults, 48 per cent were women. In 2001, the global adult HIV prevalence rate was 1.2 per cent. During that year, 5 million people were newly infected with HIV and 3 million died due to HIV/AIDS. In many parts of the developing world, the majority of new infections occurred among young adults, with young women being especially vulnerable. About one third of those currently living with HIV/AIDS are aged 15 to 24 years. Most of them do not know they carry the virus. Many millions more know nothing about the virus or too little to protect themselves (UNAIDS, 2001).