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→‎Laws & Social Stigmas
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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


While STD testing is available, Egyptian society is rather uncomfortable with the topic. There is a general reluctance on the part of the government to talk about STDs and demographics, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) or injection drug users (IDUs), who may be especially affected by them.  
In Egypt, STI testing is available at hospitals and clinics. If you're applying for an Egyptian residence or work permit, or if you're a foreign student, you are required to take an HIV test. The test must be performed at the Health Ministry's central labs -- all other lab results are not accepted. If you are diagnosed as HIV+, you will be expelled from the country.


Statistically, Hepatitis C is the most prevalent STD in Egypt with 14.7% of Egyptians testing positive for the HCV antibody. Egypt has the largest Hepatitis C epidemic in the world, and much of the transmission seems to come from informal dental and medical care.<ref>[http://www2.hawaii.edu/~dewolfe/Epidemic.html PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION IN EGYPT]</ref> Read an online discussion [https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_does_Egypt_have_15-20_prevalence_of_HCV here] in which some researchers and academic discuss possible causes for the high rates.
Generally, Egyptian society is secretive and uncomfortable when discussing STIs. This is partially due to the criminalization of STIs, like HIV. There is also negative social stigma regarding STIs, which people connect with taboo and non-traditional sexual practices.  Furthermore, STI clinics are difficult to reach, especially in rural or less developed areas. Meanwhile, on a government level, the response to STIs has been mixed. In 2005, the Egyptian government did increase its attention on HIV/AIDS, including HIV education in public schools, establishing nine mobile and 14 fixed centers around the country, conducting trainings for nurses and physicians and beginning to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS patients free of charge. <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_in_Egypt HIV in Egypt]</ref> However, the government has been criticized for neglecting the issue, as well as avoiding addressing high-risk populations, like men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) or injection drug users (IDUs).  


Regarding HIV, Egypt has low overall prevalence with estimates between 1-3% for the population. In 2013, it was found that 10% of Egyptian MSM (men who have sex with men) were HIV+. In Cairo, specifically, 5.7% of MSM were found to be HIV+ in 2010. Unfortunately, only 1 in 8 Egyptian people eligible for ART received it in 2010.<ref>[http://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/middle-east-north-africa-mena HIV AND AIDS IN THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA (MENA)]</ref>
Statistically, Hepatitis C is the most prevalent STI/STD in Egypt with 14.7% of Egyptians testing positive for the HCV antibody. Egypt has the largest Hepatitis C epidemic in the world, and much of the transmission seems to come from informal dental and medical care.<ref>[http://www2.hawaii.edu/~dewolfe/Epidemic.html PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION IN EGYPT]</ref> Read an online discussion [https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_does_Egypt_have_15-20_prevalence_of_HCV here] in which some researchers and academic discuss possible causes for the high rates.
 
Regarding HIV, Egypt has low overall prevalence with estimates between 1-3% for the population. However, according to one study, "Egypt was once considered to be an HIV/AIDS low-grade epidemic country, recent data indicated that Egypt is stepping toward a concentrated HIV epidemic with numerous challenges and barriers to prevent and control in the future."<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264974882_Sexually_Transmitted_Infections_The_Egyptian_situation_with_special_emphasis_on_HIVAIDS Sexually Transmitted Infections: The Egyptian situation with special emphasis on HIV/AIDS.]</ref> In 2013, it was found that 10% of Egyptian MSM (men who have sex with men) were HIV+. In Cairo, specifically, 5.7% of MSM were found to be HIV+ in 2010. Unfortunately, only 1 in 8 Egyptian people eligible for ART received it in 2010.<ref>[http://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/middle-east-north-africa-mena HIV AND AIDS IN THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA (MENA)]</ref>


Other Resources: Read [http://www.steveislost.com/blog/welcome-to-egypt-ive-got-her.html this blog entry] about being diagnosed with herpes in Egypt. Here's a [http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/lab/nkoc.htm link] to a study on gonorrhea in Egypt. Here's a [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8987330 link] and another [http://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-015-0202-5 link] to studies on chlamydia for Egyptian women.
Other Resources: Read [http://www.steveislost.com/blog/welcome-to-egypt-ive-got-her.html this blog entry] about being diagnosed with herpes in Egypt. Here's a [http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/lab/nkoc.htm link] to a study on gonorrhea in Egypt. Here's a [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8987330 link] and another [http://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-015-0202-5 link] to studies on chlamydia for Egyptian women.
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