immuno deficit
Perspectives
Factors in HIV/AIDS transmission in sub-Saharan Africa
Givans K. Ateka1
At the end of 2000, over 70% of the 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS were in sub-Saharan Africa and 16% in South-East Asia, while the rest of the world accounted for less than 14% (AIDS epidemic update: December 2000, UNAIDS/WHO, 2000). Close to 80% of resources targeted for HIV/AIDS-related expenditure are utilized in regions accounting for less than 5% of the pandemic. A look at some of the factors that facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDS in
Africa may be useful, as they help to explain the uneven distribution of the pandemic.
The sub-Saharan African region is plagued with incessant armed conflicts: Angola, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Rwanda, Sierra
Leone — the list is not exhaustive but it captures the essence of what has become the typical African story.
In situations of conflict, the risk of sexual violence increases dramatically. There are large numbers of mobile, vulnerable and unaccompanied women who become easy prey for rapists (Gender and the HIV epidemic. Men and the HIV epidemic, UNDP, 1999).
Children who survive wars often end up as orphans with no skills to face the challenges in life.
Prostitution becomes the most likely way out, particularly for girls, and the vicious cycle of HIV/
AIDS spread is thus perpetuated.
Many young girls are forced into prostitution because of poverty. In addition to lacking basic resources, extreme poverty dehumanizes the individual to a point where issues of self-esteem and morality become secondary. In a sociocultural study on factors fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS in
Lesotho conducted in 1998, prostitutes interviewed stated that whereas a clerk earns SAR 500 (US$ 70) per month, they can earn that much in a weekend
(Otti PN, Rasekoai M. Factors influencing the spread of
HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, 1998).
Most developing countries are still busy with awareness campaigns to convince
Factors in HIV/AIDS transmission in sub-Saharan Africa
Givans K. Ateka1
At the end of 2000, over 70% of the 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS were in sub-Saharan Africa and 16% in South-East Asia, while the rest of the world accounted for less than 14% (AIDS epidemic update: December 2000, UNAIDS/WHO, 2000). Close to 80% of resources targeted for HIV/AIDS-related expenditure are utilized in regions accounting for less than 5% of the pandemic. A look at some of the factors that facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDS in
Africa may be useful, as they help to explain the uneven distribution of the pandemic.
The sub-Saharan African region is plagued with incessant armed conflicts: Angola, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Rwanda, Sierra
Leone — the list is not exhaustive but it captures the essence of what has become the typical African story.
In situations of conflict, the risk of sexual violence increases dramatically. There are large numbers of mobile, vulnerable and unaccompanied women who become easy prey for rapists (Gender and the HIV epidemic. Men and the HIV epidemic, UNDP, 1999).
Children who survive wars often end up as orphans with no skills to face the challenges in life.
Prostitution becomes the most likely way out, particularly for girls, and the vicious cycle of HIV/
AIDS spread is thus perpetuated.
Many young girls are forced into prostitution because of poverty. In addition to lacking basic resources, extreme poverty dehumanizes the individual to a point where issues of self-esteem and morality become secondary. In a sociocultural study on factors fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS in
Lesotho conducted in 1998, prostitutes interviewed stated that whereas a clerk earns SAR 500 (US$ 70) per month, they can earn that much in a weekend
(Otti PN, Rasekoai M. Factors influencing the spread of
HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, 1998).
Most developing countries are still busy with awareness campaigns to convince