Health indicators in Azerbaijan have deteriorated during the 1990s, reflecting the economic hardship, widespread unemployment, environmental pollution, military conflict and population displacement in the country. Low incomes and high costs for preventive medical care have resulted in many people utilizing health services only when in dire need. While an immunization campaign has reduced the prevalence of some diseases, the health of the population remains compromised by unsanitary housing conditions, inadequate nutrition and increased formal and informal charges for health care services.

An area of particular concern in Azerbaijan is the growing incidence of HIV/AIDS and STDs. The number of HIV cases reported annually has increased rapidly in recent years. Only seven cases were registered between 1987 and 1992, but in 1998 alone 68 new cases were registered. By January 2000, a total of 164 HIV cases had been confirmed in the country. It is unanimously agreed that official figures do not reflect the true epidemiological situation. The actual number of infected may be as much as ten times greater. Although by international comparison, Azerbaijan is still at an early stage of the AIDS epidemic, there is strong evidence that the country could experience a dramatic expansion in HIV incidences unless rapid steps are taken.

Since 1991, Azerbaijan has experienced rapidly changing social conditions including greatly increased economic vulnerability, more frequent travel abroad for temporary employment, increased drug use and commercial sex activities, and a growing incidence of STDs. In Azerbaijan, HIV/AIDS prevention is still very much influenced by Soviet-era policies, including intensive HIV testing and mandatory actions among those infected. However, now the combined efforts of five United Nations agencies (UN Development Program, UN Population Fund, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNAIDS and UN Children’s Fund) are addressing the social, political, economic and health factors in the spread of the diseases and are helping to foster behavioral changes.

Initiated in 1998, the joint UN program on HIV and STD prevention in Azerbaijan builds community and national capabilities to prevent the further spread of these diseases. Project activities are being undertaken to develop a multi-sector response to the epidemic, to create new national policies and guidelines on STD case management, and to design effective information, education and communication programs. Research for the program is coordinated by the International Center for Reproductive Health, Belgium and implemented with support from Medecins Sans Frontiere, Belgium. The UN program encourages a civil society response to the growing STD and HIV epidemics by supporting local institutions and NGOs involved in STD and HIV/AIDS activities. The UN program also established an HIV/AIDS Resource Center for NGOs to enlarge opportunities for national organizations undertaking AIDS prevention activities.

Jason Thomson is the Baku-based Assistant Project Manager of the joint UN Project on the Prevention of STDs and HIV/AIDS in Azerbaijan. ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )