Thailand launches
first HIV prevention campaign for gay men

Family Health International is partnering with several Thai government and AIDS service organizations to launch the nation's first HIV prevention campaign solely targeted to gay and bisexual men, the Asia News Network reports. The five-month campaign, called Sex Alert, will include safer-sex ads on the radio and in magazines, posts on the Internet, posters displayed in major Thai cities, and cell phone text messages. Condoms and personal lubricant also will be distributed in gay venues, according to Somchai Srip-lienchan, FHI's national director for Thailand.

The campaign was launched because health ministry data show that HIV is spreading rapidly among Thai gay men. The HIV prevalence rate among gay and bisexual men rose from an estimated 17% in 2003 to 28% in 2005. Among gay men under age 21, HIV prevalence tripled from 2003 to 2005, say health officials. (Advocate.com)