Country profiles on HIV/AIDS
Lao PDR
Lao PDR's HIV situation is considered unique being the only country in the Greater Mekong River (GMR) with a continuing low prevalence close to 0.2 percent in the adult population. The number of people living with HIV is 8000 as of 2009, but with the trend, the figure is to increase further. The main mode of transmission is heterosexual and historically high-risk has been linked to the "three Ms"—men, mobility and money— typical of the spread of HIV in GMR. Moreover, HIV linked to drug use has been recently identified in the country.
The country continues to include HIV in national policy priorities, expand the involvement of PLHIV networks in decision making and develop a multisectoral monitoring under a five-year strategic plan. Efforts focus on HIV treatment and care as demonstrated by over 90 percent antiretroviral coverage of individuals needing ART. A rising number of new cases reported among people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men can sooner challenge the current equilibrium of the HIV epidemic picture of the country.
Core HIV and AIDS epidemic and response data
| Indicator | 2001 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| No. PLHIV | ||||
| Total | 1200 | 5500 | ||
| Adults | 1100 | 5400 | ||
| Adults pre. % | <0.1 | 0.2 | ||
| Women (15+) | <500 | 1300 | ||
| Children < 15 years | ... | ... | ||
| AIDS Death | <100 | <100 | ||
| HIV Pre. of MARPs | ||||
| IDU % | ||||
| FSW % | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| MSM % | 5.6 | 6 | ||
| No. people on ART | ||||
| Total | 700 | 1009 | 1345 | |
| ART coverage % | >95 | |||
| No. pediatric patients on ART | 72 | 95 | ||
| No. receiving ARV for PMTCT | 24 | 21 | 24 | |
| PMTCT coverage % | ... | |||
Sources and notes:
- 2001 and 2007 data: UNAIDS/WHO 2008 Update: Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS.
- 2008 and 2009 data: WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF: Towards Universal Access: Scaling up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions in the Health Sector, Progress Report 2009 and 2010.