HIV/AIDS in Southeastern Europe Case Studies from Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania

The south eastern European countries of Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are suffering from the effects of rapid socio-economic changes, such as increased unemployment and lack of access to educational services, increased substance abuse and rising sex trafficking, which have led to an alarming increase in HIV/AIDS. This paper reviews the approaches being adopted to address this problem in these countries and makes recommendation both for government strategies and for the World Bank's current and potential future involvement. Options are examined under the headings of: epidemiology and operational research; health care and social services; health communications and promotion; and civil society and advocacy.