AIDS/HIV in South Africa Source: Cape Town (Campus Bay) Pictures by Carla McMinn 2008

How AIDS/HIV Affects the Culture of South Africa A little History of AIDS/HIV in South Africa. The first case of AIDS/HIV was diagnosed in 1982.(Avert 2007) It was estimated that 74,000 to 120,000 were living with AIDS in 1990. From 1996-97 the women that were pregnant with the diseae went from 12.2-17.0%, in 1999 it went up to 22%. In 2000 the new presidnet Thabo Mbeki’s so called scientist said that there was no link between AIDS and HIV, that it was poverty that was causing AIDS.

Summary of AIDS signs and Symptoms It is common to develop cold like symptoms in the early stages of this diseases. Such as fever, sore throat and swollen lymph glands. Even if you don’t have symptoms you can still pass the disease. Once the virus enters you blood it starts attacking and destroying your T-cells and your lymph nodes.

Later symptoms Sometimes you may be symptom free for up to eight or nine years You may have swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, cough, shortness of breath and susceptibility to other diseases. Source: http://www.stolenchildhood.net

Boogie, a women living with AIDS in South Africa takes all these drugs before 9am every day just to stay alive. Source: (McMinn 2008)

Not all Antiviral are available in every country Antiretroviral Drug treatment Not all Antiviral are available in every country Most people do not have access to Antirerovirals, which neeed to be taken everday for the rest of their lives There are more than 20 approved Anitrerovirals Why is the government of South Africa not helping with this pandemic. The government under their health minister as late as 2007 was promoting healthy living to fight AIDS and still denines any link between HIV/AIDS. There are no generic forms of these drugs yet available in South Africa

At the start of 2007 5.7 million people living in South Africa have AIDS, this is the most recent report available. Approximately 1000 new infections daily (avert 2007) Statistics are showing one in five have AIDS/HIV. When I was there last month I was told it was actually 1 in 3. I found this out while talking to a women living with AIDS in SA named Boogie. When we visited a township school in Ado we talked with groups of high school students. They were very aware of AIDS; I asked if they where taught about condom use or absentance. One girl said that she knew about condoms but it wasn’t worth it, she didn’t want to get AIDS and was a virgin. All of the girls felt the same way.

Picture Of Walmer Township and High School While in South Africa we visited a township called Walmer. We saw first hand how AIDS was affecting a community of people. From the two older men that where wasting away. To a little boy and his sister that were now on Antiviral drugs however, to late for their mother who died leaving their grandmother to raise them. Resources (McMinn 2008)

Students from Ado Township school Resources: (McMinn 2008)

Half the deaths in South Africa are attributed to AIDS   71% of the population will die of AIDS(Avert 2007) So many people are dying that they are running out of space to bury the dead According to a recent survey South Africans spend more time @ funerals than getting their hair cut, Shopping or having brie’s (BBQ’s)

Average Life Excpetancy Average life expectancy without AIDS is 64 Otherwise with AIDS it is 54, half of 15yr olds will not live to see their 60’s Schools have fewer teachers, 21% of them are living with AIDS Walmer High School Resources (McMinn 2008)

Superstition still plays a role and other barriers to preventing the spread of AIDS Boogie second from Left The superstition still exists: If the boys don’t get rid of their semen it will go straight to their head and they will die Women still ask no questions and expect their partners to cheat, it is an accepted part of their society. Resources: Boogie second person from left, is living with AIDS (McMinn 2008)

Stigmas and cultural conditioning From talking with Boogie I found out that fidelity is not something that was or is expected from the men in their society. She used to think that as long as he came back to her she was the better woman. This is actually a very realistic view in their society although, not as much in the younger generations. Women are actually getting more treatment than men because of the stigma associated with getting tested. Men don’t want to know their status because they think their community will be told. They also consider the knowledge a burden.

There is hope for the people of South Africa There are programs in some of the townships that are set up to help the people, such as loveLife, which is a community center for young people. They include messages about safe sex and abstinence.

The Hope Continues In Ado there were programs in place for the young people regarding condom use and abstinence. There is also counseling set up for students that just need someone to talk with. They have women of the community that bring basic food and medicine for the afflicted The volunteers also bring company and prayers. I think that the world is taking a hard look @ this situation and is finally waking up to the fact that we are all in this together Resources (McMinn 20080) Ado High school

To learn more http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020171349.htm http://www.avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids http://www.sciencedaily.com