Implementing biomedical HIV prevention advances in Thailand

• Main Authors: Chariyalertsak S., Srithanaviboonchai K., Phanuphak N.
• Format: Chapter
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84929878339&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/38503
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014. All rights are reserved. Thailand has been praised as an example of achievement in fighting against HIV/AIDS within developing countries. The HIV incidence is now ten times lower compared to the peak level during early 1990s. Its successful programs include 100∈% condoms campaign among female sex workers (FSWs), prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT), and scaling up of highly active antiretroviral treatment program. While these interventions have averted 6 million HIV infections, the country still faces difficulty controlling spreading of HIV among key populations. Thailand has played major roles in seeking new effective HIV prevention strategies by taking part in significant international multicenter biomedical HIV trials including Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Treatment as Prevention (TasP), and rectal microbicides. To cope with the challenging situation, collective efforts on how to translate these new HIV prevention strategies into public health practices are underway. Thailand is implementing a demonstration project on the Test and Treat strategy among men who have sex with men. The plan for pilot project on PrEP among high-risk populations is now being discussed. The importance of HIV voluntary counseling and testing is also recognized as an entry point for high-risk HIV-negative persons into a PrEP program and for HIV-positive persons in early stage of HIV disease into a TasP program. As there is no magic bullet for HIV prevention; comprehensive HIV prevention programs tailored for specific key populations are needed for the country.