Yugoslavia: preventing the spread of HIV and STDs.

This article discusses the specific actions taken by Yugoslavia in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS in their country. Two years after the first HIV infection was diagnosed and recognized in 1985 a national level program was established based on the Global AIDS Strategy as defined in 1986 and the Global AIDS Program in 1987. Three essential elements in the program were prevention and control of risky behavior; safe public health procedures and social tolerance. Among the first major activities organized was the First Conference on AIDS held in 1987; it was followed in the following year by another conference which registered almost 150 papers regarding epidemiology transfusiology health education and drug dependence. In 1988 the Institute of Public Health of Serbia Belgrade published and distributed numerous pamphlets folders posters and video cassettes including 5000 copies of the multi-colored poster "Beware of AIDS." The program activities have resulted in the design of a variety of projects that focused on specific problems and segments of the population namely: AIDS Information for Dentists The Health Education Program for Elementary School Children and AIDS and Measures on AIDS Prevention in Health Facilities. Furthermore The Resolution on Protecting the Population from STDs was passed in 1994 and a new Program of Protecting the Population from STDs was been adopted; this program includes activities on the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS gonorrhea syphilis and Hepatitis B.