Barbados HIV/Aids Unit

Generally most of the countries in the Caribbean that relied in the tourism activity are facing the same dilemma. Barbados, an island state that is also heavily dependent on the influx of tourists all year round that help propel the economy of the country to what it is now, has to contend at the same time with the trade-off of tourism, which is prostitution.

The same landscape has been experienced by almost all countries in the world either tourism-dependent or not. However, those countries including Barbados wherein their economy is fueled by tourism, the effects are much more prevalent and way too obvious.

The possible contamination of HIV/Aids is just but one of the many effects, nevertheless the one that is most dangerous and deadly. Hence Barbados HIV/Aids Unit is important in order to monitor the cases in the country. As reported by the Barbados HIV/Aids Unit under the supervision of the Barbados Ministry of Health the HIV cases are more prevalent in the economically active population. For both males and females, the recorded cases are with the age range of 15-49.

The Barbados HIV/Aids Unit also reported that the cases are generally prevalent among males than females. However, the 15-29 age bracket showed otherwise because it can be gleaned from the report of the Barbados HIV/Aids Unit that there are more females living with HIV than there are males. This result is largely attributed to the fact that at this age range there are more females who have gone early screening than males.

The report has also cited that the HIV prevalence in Barbados is 1.8% that has seen a 0.1% decline from the 1.9% estimate in 2003. From 1984 to the first quarter of 2005 the recorded cases of person living with HIV is 2,999 while those living with Aids is 1,876. The positive decline of HIV/aids cases in Barbados was largely due to the massive campaign of the Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy Program that equitably provides free Anti-Retroviral therapy. In order to curb and avert the effects of this epidemic, the Government of Barbados through the Barbados HIV/Aids Unit had spent US$ 5 million for the years 2003 and 2004.

The HIV/Aids Unit of Barbados is doing in whatever way it can help the people especially those who are living with HIV/Aids though education and information campaigns. Because many studies have shown that the increase of knowledge about HIV/Aids can help curb the disease, however part of the challenge is to make sure that this knowledge is well translated into protected sexual practices regardless of the age.

HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases are the ghosts that lurk in the tourism industry. For as long as nothing is done to address this concern, the dilemma will always continue to haunt Barbados.