Ecuador: HIV/AIDS

This small Andean country with a population of about 15 million people has a concentrated HIV epidemic, with approximately 0.4 per cent of adults infected. Quito, the capital city has an estimated prevalence of 19.3 per cent. The rate of infection is said to be steadily increasing.

Image courtesy of Women News Network

Ecuador HIV statistics: People living with HIV -37,000; HIV prevelance - 0.4 per cent; Deaths due to AIDS - 2,200. With such relatively low rates compared to other countries I've lived in except Canada, it is no wonder that I found World AIDS Day rather unacknowledged here. Nevertheless, I still think we are far from achieving an AIDS free generation around the world.

Read the piece I wrote on June 5th on how misconceptions about antiretroviral drugs may be fooling people into not taking enough precaution to prevent HIV infection.

Stay safe and have a happy December.