Estonia
- Population: 1.3 million
- People living with HIV: 9,900
- People receiving ART: 1,263*
The Epidemic
In Estonia, 1.2% of adults are HIV positive – the highest percentage among all the countries in the EU. Almost half of new infections happen through injecting drug use, but sexual transmission has been increasing steadily since 2000, especially around the Tallinn highway in the north.
Access to free HIV testing and ART is somewhat limited in Estonia, particularly in regions outside Tallinn. High prices and lack of availability also present obstacles to condom use as an HIV prevention method.
AHF in Estonia
AHF has been operating in Estonia in partnership with the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV since February 2009. Together, we conduct rapid HIV testing in outreach settings and harm reduction clinics, distribute free condoms and refer positive clients to healthcare. We’re active throughout the country in the areas hardest hit by the epidemic, including Tallinn, Narva, Tartu, Kohtla-Järve, Narva-Jõesuu, Pärnu, Jõhvi and Kiviõli.
In collaboration with the Estonian Network, AHF plans to open a clinic in Narva – our first in the EU – at the end of 2011. Narva has been severely impacted by the confluence of socioeconomic depression and widespread drug use, and consequently, by the HIV epidemic.
Statistics from UNAIDS.org, 2011, unless otherwise stated.
