Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 2 492 091 at noon on May 28
Helping the victims of Burma’s catastrophe: While most of the local and international aid workers in Burma are scrambling to meet the immediate needs of 2,4-million people left stranded by Cyclone Nargis, several organisations are working to ensure that survivors living with HIV are included in the response.
According to the latest estimate by UNAids, about 242 000 people — 0,7% of Burma’s population — live with HIV, but only about 1 500 receive life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) treatment via a government programme. Another 10 500 people receive ARV drugs from NGOs, mainly Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Holland.
Speaking on the phone from Yangon, MSF country director Frank Smithuis said most of the people in their treatment programme are based in urban areas that escaped the worst of the storm.
With 10 000 HIV-positive patients in Yangon alone, MSF decided to provide all of those who came to clinics with a one-off cash grant of about $10 to buy food. Anti-Aids treatment must be accompanied by an adequate diet. — PlusNews
Aids-related deaths in South Africa: 2 485 451 at noon on May 21
Tackling low condom use: In Swaziland the mystery of why people refuse to use condoms is slowly being unravelled. Aids activist and health motivator Hannie Dlamini and the National Emergency Council on HIV/Aids (Nercha) hope to get to the bottom of men’s attitudes to sexual health.
Swaziland’s first Demographic Health Survey, in 2007, found that 26% of sexually active Swazis were infected with HIV. Although almost 99% of survey participants said they knew about the disease, nearly half admitted having multiple sex partners and having sex without condoms.
Swazi men are eager to embrace anti-condom myths as a reason to reject what they consider a foreign and unnatural intrusion into their sex lives. Extramarital affairs were also a topic of discussion. Many men said sleeping with one woman all the time caused a loss of interest in sex.
Nercha, the ministry of health and social welfare and Aids NGOs will analyse the findings for possible ways to bring about behavioural change. — PlusNews
Aids-related deaths in South Africa: 2 478 812 at noon, May 14
War on condoms: Muslim leaders in Kenya’s North Eastern Province have resolved to campaign against the promotion of condoms as a means of preventing HIV.
The decision was made after a meeting on the theme of ‘Islam and Health”, attended by more than 60 Muslim scholars and teachers in the provincial capital, Garissa.
‘A lot of money is being wasted to poison our community … a huge amount of money is spent on buying condoms, buying immorality,” Sheikh Mohamud Ali, of Garissa district, told IRIN/PlusNews.
The leaders agreed to preach against the use and public promotion of condoms as a strategy to contain the pandemic and prevent pregnancy. They also agreed to oppose the distribution of condoms in villages and educational institutions across the north-east.
‘We are not opposed to the ministry of health’s campaigns to fight HIV/Aids, but we are concerned that they are using the wrong way, which is not acceptable to our tradition and religion,” Ali said. ‘We must be involved in the campaigns and our suggestions accepted.”
The clerics further demanded the closure of bars in the north-east and asked the government to suspend the licensing of any new bars.
The leaders said the best way for the youth to avoid HIV was through the observance of Islamic teachings such as fasting, regular prayer and shunning extramarital affairs. They advised men to avoid looking at women, who should dress modestly.
Discussion of sexual issues is traditionally taboo, which has led to ignorance about HIV and Aids in the north-east. Although HIV prevalence rates are still among the lowest in the country — 1,4% compared with the national average of 5,1%, according to Kenya’s National Aids Control Council — the region also has the lowest uptake of condoms and health workers say this contributes to new HIV infections. Many traders refuse to stock condoms.
Free condoms will remain available at government health centres in the region.
Source: PlusNews
Aids-related deaths in South Africa: 2 472 172 by noon on May 7
Bare life: The reality TV show Imagine Afrika, about to begin its second season, pits 12 young Africans against some of the most serious problems facing their continent, including how to tackle the HIV/Aids epidemic.
The show first hit the airwaves in October 2007 as part of a campaign by the African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/Aids (ABMP), a group of 53 broadcast companies from across Africa that have pledged to commit 5% (roughly one hour) of their daily airtime to HIV/Aids content.
The 12 contestants were broken up into three teams and each episode presented the teams with a problem — for instance, how to help a child-headed household.
Despite years of campaigns and messaging, however, there is still a huge gap between HIV awareness and the realisation of personal risk that causes people to change their behaviour.
Source: www.plusnews.org