Poisonwood Bible Aids and Hiv
AIDs and HIV in Africa * Between 1999 and 2000 more people died from AIDs in Africa than all the causalities combined in every single war to occur in the African continent. * Everyday 4,400 Sub-Saharan Africans die from AIDs, an additional 11,000 are infected. * In 2008 it was estimated that 33.4 million people were living with HIV in Africa, 2.7 million more people were infected from HIV, and 2 million deaths from AIDS. * Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for an estimated 69% of all the people living with HIV in the world and 20% of all AIDs related deaths in the world in 2011.
AIDs and HIV in the Congo * The Congo was one of the first African countries to recognize HIV. * The United Nations estimated at the end of the 2001 1.3 million Congolese (adult and children) were infected by HIV and in 2003 it was estimated that 1.1 million Congolese died from HIV. * The most HIV affected age groups are women that are 20-29 years old and men that are aged 30-34 years old. * The life expectancy of the Congo dropped 9% during the 1990s due to HIV/AIDs. * Between 1985 and 1997 infection rates among sex slaves and prostitutes in Kinshasa (capital of the Congo) ranged from 27% to 38%. * Major factors that lead to HIV infection are high levels of untreated sexually transmitted infections among prostitutes, few HIV testing sites, and mal-nutrition due to poverty in the country.
Discussion Questions * Would the Westernization of Africa and the Congo by European nations be considered as a “disease” to their culture? Discuss the pros and cons of European interference. * Does Adah’s belief that viruses and diseases have the same right to inhabit the earth is justified whether or not it harms people
AIDs and HIV in the Congo * The Congo was one of the first African countries to recognize HIV. * The United Nations estimated at the end of the 2001 1.3 million Congolese (adult and children) were infected by HIV and in 2003 it was estimated that 1.1 million Congolese died from HIV. * The most HIV affected age groups are women that are 20-29 years old and men that are aged 30-34 years old. * The life expectancy of the Congo dropped 9% during the 1990s due to HIV/AIDs. * Between 1985 and 1997 infection rates among sex slaves and prostitutes in Kinshasa (capital of the Congo) ranged from 27% to 38%. * Major factors that lead to HIV infection are high levels of untreated sexually transmitted infections among prostitutes, few HIV testing sites, and mal-nutrition due to poverty in the country.
Discussion Questions * Would the Westernization of Africa and the Congo by European nations be considered as a “disease” to their culture? Discuss the pros and cons of European interference. * Does Adah’s belief that viruses and diseases have the same right to inhabit the earth is justified whether or not it harms people