The low usage of condoms during sexual activities is a significant factor contributing to the recent rise in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in Fiji. Another alarming factor is the sharing of non-sterile needles among injecting drug users.
According to the first Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in Fiji in 2021, awareness about HIV prevention is low, with only 30 percent of women aged 15-24 and 26 percent of men in the same age group knowledgeable about the virus.
UNAIDS Pacific Office country director Renata Ram reported that the survey highlighted a troublingly low rate of condom use among individuals with multiple partners, noting that just 24 percent of men and nine percent of women aged 15-49 reported using a condom during their last sexual encounter.
Ms. Ram emphasized that there are also poor health-seeking behaviors and limited awareness of HIV status among the population. The survey revealed that only seven percent of women and four percent of men aged 15-49 had undergone an HIV test in the past year and were aware of their results.
UNAIDS has taken on a crucial advocacy role in addressing the HIV crisis in Fiji. To enhance this response, Ms. Ram announced that UNAIDS has secured donor funding from Australia under the Indo-Pacific Partnership, which has identified Fiji as a key priority.
A total of $2.6 million in Australian funding will be dedicated to strengthening Fiji’s HIV response over the next four years, in addition to ongoing financial support from Australia and grants from the Global Fund for HIV management.
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