AIDs in Africa

Brief History First deaths recorded in 1959. (Relatively new disease ) Believed to have spread from chimpanzees to humans in Cameroon. Became an epidemic when the US Centre for Disease control reported a cluster of cases. Victims come from all walks of life.

AIDs Worldwide

Botswana AIDs figures Aids in Africa 2007 an estimated 300,000 people with HIV. Botswana’s population is below 2 million. Adult HIV rate of 23.9%. 2nd highest in the world after Swaziland. Life expectancy at birth fell from 65 years in 1990-1995 to less than 40 years in 2000-2005, a figure about 28 years lower than it would have been without AIDS. An estimated 95,000 children have lost at least one parent to the epidemic. First case in 1985 Aids in Africa

Swaziland AIDs Figures Swaziland’s first AIDS case was reported in 1987. In 1999 the King declared AIDS a “national disaster”. In 2007 15,000 Swazi children aged up to 14 years of age were living with HIV

In Africa, more women are infected than men. The ignorance and fear surrounding the disease have lead to victims being rejected by their community. (In one case an AIDs activist in South Africa was stoned to death when she was found to be HIV positive)

Effects of AIDs in Africa What would be the effects an epidemic would have on a country? Has lead to the deaths of 1.6 million Sub-Saharan Africans. Life expectancies are declining by decades. Ending population explosion in southern and central Africa. Many children are infected by their mothers. (More than 70,000 per year) Million of children are orphaned each year when parents die.

Putting pressure on an already inadequate healthcare system. Most hospital beds filled with dying AIDs patients. 80% of Adults and 33% of children in Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana in final stages of AIDs.

Economic and social structures are being devastated as the skilled workers are dying. 1300 Zambian teachers died in one year. By 2010 the GDP of Sub-Saharan African may be cut 17% The population structure is drastically altered because it usually hits adults in their prime.

So…What can be done? Must reduce the number of new cases a year. Help those already living with AIDs. The disease must be discussed as well as how victims are treated.

Focus on abstinence, one partner, Condomize. Empower women to say “no” to unprotected sex. (Many were exploited in the past.) Treat pregnant HIV women so it doesn’t transfer to babies. ARVs (Anti-retroviral)need to be made available. Developed nations must step up to help fund the cost.