In Latin America, only Guatemala and Honduras have national HIV prevalence of over 1%. In these countries, HIV-infected men outnumber HIV-infected women by roughly 3:1. Lower prevalence in other countries disguises serious, localized epidemics. In Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, intravenous drug use and homosexual activity are the main modes of transmission, but there is concern that heterosexual activity may soon become a primary method of spreading the virus.

Brazil accounts for more than a third of all HIV infections in Latin America, with the routes of transmission including paid sex, sex between men and intravenous drug use. In the 1980s Brazil began a comprehensive AIDS prevention and treatment programme to keep AIDS in check, including the production of generic versions of anti-retroviral drugs.

See also

• AIDS pandemic
• AIDS in Brazil

External links

• AIDS epidemic update 2005 (PDF)
• Specific country data from UNAIDS
• AIDSPortal Latin America page Latest research, case studies and news stories