AIDS IN NICARAGUA - EPIDEMIOLOGIC, POLITICAL, AND SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

The AIDS epidemic in Nicaragua is several years behind that in the Uni ted States and neighboring countries of Central and South America. A c ombination of events, including the isolation caused by the war of the U.S.-backed Contra army against the Sandinista government, the comple te economic embargo imposed on Nicaragua by the United States in 1985, self-sufficiency for blood products, and a low rate of recreational i njectable-drug use, have contributed to this situation. Since the Sand inistas were defeated in the general election of 1990, people have ret urned to Nicaragua from areas where HIV is more prevalent, such as Hon duras and the United States. It is probable that many HIV-infected per sons have now entered the country. Because of the high rates of sexual ly transmitted diseases and cultural factors such as ''machismo,'' HIV is likely to spread rapidly by heterosexual transmission, unless effe ctive, culturally appropriate education and sexually transmitted disea se prevention programs are implemented now.