HIV/AIDS Major effects on women and children in developing countries

AIDS Prevalence (ages 15-24) in Sub-Saharan Africa Global Health Council AIDS has a disproportionate impact on young women in Africa

Why do women have an increased risk? Decision to have sex not theirs

Why do women have an increased risk? Decision not theirs Married women – Higher rate than single women – Husbands already sexually experienced

Women are more susceptible Male – female transmission twice as high

Women are more susceptible Male – female transmission twice as high Violence – “In Zambia, Kenya and South Africa, 20 to 25 percent of women reported that their first sexual experience involved physical force” (Global Health Council)

Why do children have increased risk? Contract from mother

Why do children have increased risk? Contract from mother Immune system not as able to fight off

Barriers to AIDS Prevention Condom use not accepted

Barriers to AIDS Prevention Condom use not accepted

Barriers to AIDS Prevention Condom use not accepted Stigma – “While in some places the advent of free and accessible antiretroviral therapy has offered hope and encouraged people to go for testing, stigma remains a barrier to testing even where treatment is available” (Plos Medicine)

Results of the Epidemic Orphans No “breadwinner” left

Potential Problems for Adolescents Affected by HIV/AIDS Global Health Council HIV doesn’t only affect the person who is infected

Education can reduce transmission Open discussion of facts and misconceptions

Education can reduce transmission Open discussion of facts and misconceptions Reducing stigma in community

1.) Can you tell if a person has AIDS by looking at him or her? Yes Maybe No 2.) Is there a difference between HIV and AIDS? Yes Maybe No 3.) Can people get HIV/AIDS through sex? Yes Maybe No 4.) Can small children get HIV/AIDS though sex? Yes Maybe No 5.) Can you get HIV/AIDS if you have unprotected sex once? Yes Maybe No 6.) Can a mother give her child HIV/AIDS through breast milk? Yes Maybe No 7.) Is HIV/AIDS a problem only in Africa? Yes Maybe No 8.) Is it better to wear more than one condom? Yes Maybe No 9.) What must be on toothbrushes, razors, and needles to spread HIV? Blood Sweat Saliva Typical quiz

1.) Can you tell if a person has AIDS by looking at him or her? Yes Maybe No 2.) Is there a difference between HIV and AIDS? Yes Maybe No 3.) Can people get HIV/AIDS through sex? Yes Maybe No 4.) Can small children get HIV/AIDS though sex? Yes Maybe No 5.) Can you get HIV/AIDS if you have unprotected sex once? Yes Maybe No 6.) Can a mother give her child HIV/AIDS through breast milk? Yes Maybe No 7.) Is HIV/AIDS a problem only in Africa? Yes Maybe No 8.) Is it better to wear more than one condom? Yes Maybe No 9.) What must be on toothbrushes, razors, and needles to spread HIV? Blood Sweat Saliva

Does it help? On average, classes showed a 60 percent increase in score after the third day

They don’t only need treatment, they need education, starting with the children!