Panama

State of the HIV epidemic in Panama

The 25-44 years age group is the most affected and/or diagnosed at the stage of AIDS (60% of reported cases), and includes the segment of the population that is economically active and of reproductive age. Data indicate that 67.0% acquired AIDS through sexual transmission, but this rate could be higher as 28.7% was reported as "non-specific". With respect to this 67.0% of cases at the stage of AIDS, it is known that 50.7% were cases where individuals self-identified as heterosexual, 12.4% as homosexual, and 3.8% as bisexual. The male-female ratio shows 3 cases of AIDS in men for every infected woman. Mother-to-child transmission represents 3.0% of all cases reported. In Panama, cases of AIDS and HIV are analyzed separately, and 6,261 HIV cases were found that had not evolved into an opportunistic disease. Of these cases, 3,691 involved men and 2,670 women, resulting in a male-female ratio of 1.4 men for every infected woman.

The most affected age group diagnosed at a stage of HIV is 25-44 years old (51.9% of reported cases), which includes the segment of the population that is economically active and of reproductive age. Data show that 47.4% acquired HIV through sexual transmission, but this rate could be higher as 48.7% was reported as "non-specific" or "under investigation". As to how or through what means people indicated (self-identification) that they had acquired their health condition, of those that indicated that it had been through sexual transmission (47.4%), 38.7% self-identified themselves as heterosexual, 6.5 % as homosexual, and 2.1% as bisexual. Mother-to-child transmission accounts for 3.3% of all cases reported.

The epidemic in Panama is characterized by being concentrated in the large urban centers, but an expansive dynamic can be observed towards rural areas. Data also point to a concentration of the epidemic in specific groups of sexual workers, men who have sex with men, and the transgender population. However, in recent years, intervention strategies have been targeted in prevention efforts for other specific priority groups such as the indigenous population, people deprived of their freedom, youth at social risk, people with HIV, uniformed personnel, and TB patients. The epidemic has undergone rapid growth since 1994 and is now concentrated in Panama Center, Colon, San Miguelito, and West Panama, as well as the indigenous districts of Guna Yala and Ngabe Buglé. The latest country estimates for 2011 indicate a prevalence of 0.77% in the population aged 15 to 49.

In 2010, 831 people were detected at the stage of AIDS, making it the second highest year with the most cases (in 2008, 975 people were diagnosed) reported since 2001. According to the National Statistics and Census Institute, HIV/AIDS was the seventh leading cause of death in 2010 in Panama. In 2010, there were 887 newly detected HIV cases, making it the second highest year with the most cases (in 2008, 936 people were diagnosed) reported since 2001.

Informe Panama 2012, referente a los años 2010-2011

Datasheets
Updated up to 2009:

Country Profile
Expenses
Prevention
Coverage
Epidemiological Data

 

Contacts

 

Presidente Grupo Tematico VIH y Sida	Coordinador de pais de ONUSIDA y Puntos Focales	Coordinador Residente ONU	Director de Programa y Similares
Una McCauley Representante de UNICEF   UN House Ciudad del Saber, Edif. 128 Apartado postal  0816-02531 Panama City, Panama Tel.: +507 302-4830 Fax: +507 305-4837 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tatiana Salazar Assistant Tel : 301-7360 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Ricardo Garcia UNAIDS Country Coordinator UN House Ciudad del Saber, Edif. 129 0816-01914 Panama City, Panama Tel.: +507 302 4581 (UNAIDS) +507 302 4500 (UNDP) Fax: +507 302-4583 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Denia Justiniani Assistant This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Kim Bolduc UN Resident Coordinator UNDP Resident Representative UN House Ciudad del Saber, Edif. 129 0816-01914 Panama City, Panama Tel.: +507 302 4607 Bus Fax: +507 3054607 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Desiree Duque Assistant Tel : 302-4605 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Aurelio Nuñez Jefe del Programa Nacional de ITS/VIH/SIDA Instituto conmemorativo Gorgas Edif Carl Jhonson Panama City, Panamá Tel: +507   527-4944. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Dalys Alderet Assistant Tel: 527-4944 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.