During the three days of the consultation, the 23 participants addressed the following topics: the epidemiological situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, a regional overview of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support programmes, the policies of national programmes, and four NGO projects. Networking and technical cooperation were also addressed.

Information for United Nations Employees and their families.

This document suggests classifying the epidemic into different states—lowlevel, concentrated and generalized—depending on the prevalence of the virus in various population sub-groups. The most efficient mix of data collection for surveillance will depend on the epidemic state in a country. The recommended choice of populations among whom data are collected will vary from epidemic to epidemic; so will the mix of behavioural and bio-medical surveillance.

HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has been shown to have a role in both HIV prevention and, for people with HIV infection, as an entry point to care. VCT provides people with an opportunity to learn and accept their HIV serostatus in a confidential environment with counselling and referral for ongoing emotional support and medical care.

Sex between men exists in most societies. It frequently involves anal sex. Unprotected penetrative anal sex carries a high risk of HIV transmission, especially for the receptive partner.

The Protocol is aimed at National AIDS Programmes, but it is not just for them. It may also be used by others – interested organizations, groups or persons, including those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS – in order to detect arbitrary discrimination. Indeed, a broader range of users will help in making the Protocol a more effective human rights tool.

The Southern African Development Community’s Code on HIV/AIDS and Employment

2000 Report on the global AIDS epidemic

This document provides guidance on monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of planning and implementing VCT. It provides tools for the evaluation of VCT as part of a national programme, as well as VCT services at specific institutions, independent sites and services for special groups, including community-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It includes monitoring and evaluation of VCT services associated with the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) and tuberculosis preventive therapy (TBPT). This document revises and adapts previous draft guidelines and incorporates relevant operational research findings.

The strain on those who care for people living with HIV/AIDS is enormous and wide-ranging. As the epidemic spreads and matures, these people—front-line workers in the efforts to stop HIV/AIDS and contain the damage it does to society—become an even more precious resource. The quality of care they provide and their ability to do so over a sustained period depend on their own well-being and morale. This report draws attention to the needs of home- and community-based carers, and what can be done to support them more effectively. It highlights the symptoms and causes of stress and burnout, and the options available for managing these conditions. It draws on the first-hand experience of individuals and AIDS organizations in Uganda and South Africa. The report is intended for all those with an interest in the care of people with HIV/AIDS, but especially for those with direct responsibility for providing care or managing carers, for policy-making in this field, or for supporting HIV/AIDS programmes.