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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Dec 2006 : 18:22:36
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These figures are form the independent newspaper today.
Two thirds of ALL people with HIV live in sub-saharan Africa. Three quarters of ALL aids deaths occur there.
33% of adults in Swaziland are affected. This is the highest HIV rate in the world.
SENEGAL has a rate of 1% the lowest in sub - saharan Africa.
Baaba Maal has been credited with spreading hte message about safe sex at his concerts. Senegal also has blood screening in its hospitals and has made condoms widely available. Also Imans have been speaking at Friday prayers about abstinence or safe sex.
President Wades message is ' Beware of the dangers, find solutions, changeour behaviour and encourage everyone to go for HIV testing'.
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2006 : 18:57:32
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i read a few years ago that gambia also had about 1% but i think just a few months ago it was about 2.1% meaning it has doubled. this is very alarming i think. ofcourse even the gambia the rates at higher in the western part due to the tourism and presence of sex workers.
statistics are difficult to understand since even an improvement of the measurement technique could increase the figures. hence one cannot tell if the message is working or not. population movements can also distort figures.
also i think small countries like the gambia with a small population are an ideal place to issue 100% anti retroviral drug programs. 2.1% of 1m (~ 25,000 people) people is cheaper than 1% of 11m in Senegal or 33% in South Africa |
Edited by - njucks on 01 Dec 2006 18:59:39 |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:02:29
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quote:
Originally posted by njucks
i read a few years ago that gambia also had about 1% but i think just a few months ago it was about 2.1% meaning it has doubled. this is very alarming i think. ofcourse even the gambia the rates at higher in the western part due to the tourism and presence of sex workers.
statistics are difficult to understand since even an improvement of the measurement technique could increase the figures. hence one cannot tell if the message is working or not. population movements can also distort figures.
also i think small countries like the gambia with a small population are an ideal place to issue 100% anti retroviral drug programs. 2.1% of 1m (~ 25,000 people) people is cheaper than 1% of 11m in Senegal or 33% in South Africa
Njucks,
Senegal is far ahead of Gambia with the prevention campange. The percentage for Gambia is true. We are quite familier with the figures from UNAIDS or the Lancet. I surpose the problem with the Gambia can be with those who has double infection. The movements also has another impact. We continue to fight both here and at home as AIDS does not know colour or richness. |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:07:47
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you are totally right. ofcourse my worry is that the growth has doubled,1% to 2% is still serious.(100% increase).
HIV/AIDS should be drummed into pupils from day one at nursery school.
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leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:54:50
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Unless there is testing of the entire population surely the statistics quoted can only be, at most, an educated guess.
I heard on the World Service last week that recent research in South Africa has shown that circumcised males are less likely to pass on the HIV virus (they compared infection rates between the uncircumcised Christian and the circumcised Muslim populations). It is thought that this is due to the organisms which cause HIV not being able to lodge under the foreskin, and to the thickened area of skin around the circumcision site preventing the virus penetrating the man's body. It was suggested that this also explains why HIV and Aids infection is relatively less prevelent in West Africa, with its higher Muslim populations.
However, the research is at the moment more theory than hard evidence. There may be other reasons for the findings. For example the sexual practices of the Christian and Muslim populations in South Africa may differ.
In any event, in my opinion it is very dangerous to assume that because circumcision may make HIV Aids infection less likely that this equates to it somehow being 'safe' or 'safer' to engage in unprotected sexual activity with a circumcised male. Besides 'safer' is a dangerous concept when it comes to HIV/Aids.
The message has to be that unless you know someone and their entire sexual history, and believe and trust them utterly and totally to be 100% faithful then the only option is:
PRACTICE SAFE SEX AT ALL TIMES.
Obviously abstinence is the other option but IMO this is not always realistic expectation, especially where young Gambians are being exposed to the more liberal sexual morals and practices of westerners.
Alhassan you are correct, Aids does not know colour or riches (or gender or sexuality). However, sadly and as with so many things, colour and wealth can (and does) effect outcomes. Those with access to good nutrition, health care and medicines such as antiretrovials can expect to live longer and remain healthy for far longer post infection. |
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