Caribbean region

UNAIDS figures demonstrate that in 2006 more than 250,000 people were living with the HIV virus. In that same year more than 27,000 people were infected, while 19,000 people died of AIDS and its related illnesses.
The Caribbean virus is predominantly heterosexual. The number of women, especially young women, that are infected is surpassing that of men.

The number of infected people per 1,000 inhabitants (prevalence) in the Caribbean is the second highest in the world. This statistic hides considerable variations.
While the prevalence levels among adults (between 15 and 44 years) in Haiti surpasses 5.6%, in Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago the levels are more than 3%.

It is likely that the actual prevalence rates are higher. As was explained by an official in Surinam: the problem with AIDS is, that it does not have a face. Long incubation periods mean that one can be infected without knowing. It may take up to 10 years before the virus manifests itself. Discrimination and social stigma make people reluctant to be tested voluntarily. In many cases a victim will die of an AIDS related illness. AIDS is not always stated as the cause of death. These factors make it difficult to put an accurate figure on number of the people infected.

AIDS sufferers and their relatives often keep their illness, or the cause of death a secret to avoid discrimination. In the meantime the virus will be further spread.