AIDS and the poor in Brazil.

The Brazilian Interdisciplinary Association of AIDS (ABIA) reports that the number of AIDS cases in Brazil is now 4600 or the 4th highest nation worldwide. ABIA is a nongovernmental organization founded in 1986 by doctors scientists and public health professionals. Cases are doubling every 10 months. Contrary to the popular belief that AIDS is a problem of the elite the poor with their lack of public health services are increasingly stricken. A key issue in Brazil is the many private unregulated blood banks. 85% of the hemophiliacs in Rio de Janeiro are infected with HIV. 18-20% of all AIDS cases were infected by contaminated blood. ABIA has launched a national education campaign targeting women slum dwellers adolescents and other risk groups. They have produced flyers posters booklets videos and slide shows with the help of community and womens groups. These materials have been adapted by the Toronto Canada health department for its Portuguese-speaking immigrant communities.