AIDS/HIV in Africa

What is AIDS? AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome It is a disease where your immune system ( a system in your body that fights away bad bacteria and viruses) is weakened. You are more likely to be very sick because of this. It is caused by HIV

What is HIV? Human Immunodeficiency Virus The HIV virus attacks Helper T-Cells T-Cells play a big part of the immune system. They direct cells in the immune system. They are a type of white blood cell that fights away infection. HOSTILE TAKEOVER- HIV takes over (basically engulfs the T-cells) and then multiplies. Essentially, the wonderful T-cells are killed off and replaced by the nasty HIV, which quickly takes over the cells

HIV cell attaching to a T-cell Injects self and multiplies rapidly

Spread of HIV in Africa

HIV in Africa - The year 2000 began with 24 million Africans infected with the virus. - Each day, 6,000 Africans die from AIDS. - Each day, an additional 11,000 people are infected. In 2007, there were… - 32.8 million living with HIV - 2.5 million new infections of HIV - 2 million deaths from AIDS - Over two-thirds of HIV cases, and some 80% of deaths, were in Sub-Saharan Africa.

AIDS and South Africa 10 million African Children have been orphaned by AIDS In South Africa, 4.7 million people are infected with HIV As many as ¼ have the virus and will have a life cut short because of AIDS

As one farmer in South Africa put it, “Today we are spending more time turning the bodies of the sick than we are turning the soil.” What does he mean by this statement?

Having AIDS can make people feel alone. WHY?

Why is the problem so severe in South Africa? Political Reasons Cultural Reasons Environmental Risks Economic Conditions Social Aspects

Political Reasons The legacy of the Apartheid system left a fertile environment for HIV’s rapid spread. Under Apartheid, the state controlled the work people could have and where they could live. Blacks were separated from the whites and treated very differently. Why would this influence the spread of HIV?

Political Reasons Continued South Africa’s black population was forced into crowded, impoverished homelands (shantytowns) which led to the break down of traditional cultural structures.

Economic Conditions South Africa has a 26-30% unemployment rate This leads to: High crime rates Increased prostitution High Cost of Treating HIV/AIDS Drugs are very expensive Health Care systems are overwhelmed

In recent years the government budget for Health care per person in Kenya has dropped from $9.50 to less than $3.00.

How AIDS affects the government In highly affected regions, HIV/AIDS also places huge strains on state governments and the economy. AIDS most frequently strikes the most productive members of society, those 15-45 years old. Their deaths have left Africa with over 11 million orphans Number of deaths and infection rate is thought to increase over the next 10 years

AIDS and Famine Famine is caused by the shortage or inability of people to obtain food. Famine = no food Many African countries face famine today because: Climate changes Political conflict which interrupts farming Poor prices for African goods on world market Poorly organized or corrupt governments Disease

Famine and AIDS If people are sick, what happens? Aids kills young adults, especially women - the people whose labor is most needed. When the rains come, people must work 16 hours a day planting and weeding the crop. If that critical period is missed, the family will go hungry. In a community infected by Aids, each working adult must produce more to feed the same number of dependents - not just children but sick adults, too. Just as HIV destroys the body's immune system, the epidemic of HIV and Aids has disabled African countries. As a result of HIV, the worst-hit African countries have undergone a social breakdown that is now reaching a new level: more African countries are facing famine Hunger and disease are found together.

Cultural Reasons Talking openly about sex is seen as taboo People with HIV/AIDS are shunned (rejected/ignored) from the community Many aren’t tested to avoid embarrassment Polygamy is practiced in many cultures Polygamy is where there are multiple wives for the same man. Why would shunning (rejecting/ignoring) HIV/AIDS victims from the community spread the disease?

Environmental Factors 55% of the population is urban (they live in a city or town) Urban life is characterized by violent crimes such as rape. Urban life for migratory workers (workers who move to find work) diminishes family ties and support. What does that mean for the migratory workers?

Environmental Factors 45% of the population is rural (lives in the country) Unemployment and poverty are higher in rural areas. Unemployment/poverty = high crime People are unable/lack access to basic health needs such as clean water, which leads to an increase in disease

Social Aspects South Africa is relatively wealthy Combined, the epidemic/outbreak is able to spread rapidly (fast), without much challenge from government agencies or outside agencies

What is being done? Government programs are working to fix the problem Efforts to educate the public Traditional cultural responses Youth community groups AIDS Activists

Traditional Treatments Traditional African Healers, or Sangomas offer spiritual advice and traditional herbs or other natural treatments Many people are more comfortable using these treatments and can’t afford modern medical treatments

Nkosi Johnson Born February 4, 1989 Died June 1, 2001 South Africa’s longest surviving AIDS baby. Spoke out publically against AIDS

Nkosi From the NY Times… “His youth, his shriveled body, and his strong will made him the most moving critic of the government for its delay in recognizing the epidemic and in giving mothers like his own the anti-retroviral drugs that could have kept him from becoming infected.”

Why should we care? From UNAIDS Statement to the Security Council in January 2000 “The epidemic is rapidly becoming more devastating than war, in a continent where war and conflict appear to be endemic…conflicts took the lives of 200,000 people in 1998, but HIV/AIDS took the lives of over ten times more—2.2 million in the same year.”

In 2009, the population of Charlotte, NC was 2.3 million

World Bank President James Wolfensohn said, “Freedom from poverty is key to security. Communities that are driven apart by disease are weak communities. Weak communities are subject to strife…Beating back AIDS in Africa will support a culture of peace.”

Why is AIDS so prevalent? Poor health care systems, poverty, and lack of government organization Lack of knowledge about the disease and its prevention Antiretroviral drugs that are able to slow down the progress of the disease are expensive (cost a lot of money)

There is still hope… 75% of the adult population is NOT INFECTED Knowledge and education… being OPEN about AIDS Access to health care and treatment options Anti-viral drugs for pregnant mothers to reduce mother-infant transmission