UNDERSTANDING THE HIV AIDS CONTEXT IN PAKISTAN/

The social context of sexual relations is important in understanding t he AIDS epidemic. So far, HIV in Pakistan has spread by heterosexual c ontact and blood transfusions. The magnitude of the problem is difficu lt to assess but health authorities estimate between 10,000 to 12,000 HIV infected people. This paper outlines that rapid urbanisation, toge ther with single migrant workers, deported HIV infected expatriates, e xploitation of women and easy availability of narcotic drugs, especial ly in the metropolis of Karachi, are some important factors that may b e responsible for the spread of HIV in Pakistan.