1. Basics of HIV and AIDS
GEORGE CHAIPA LUNGU

2. CONDITIONS

3. Learning Objectives Define HIV and AIDS
Describe the immune system, including CD4 cells and antibodies
Describe the disease progression of HIV

4. How is Malawi affected? About 10.6% of Malawians infected with HIV
Some awareness campaigns, but the number of people living with HIV and AIDS has remained steady
But there is still need for education and behavior change to bring down the rate of HIV infection in Malawi

5. What is HIV? HIV: Human Immuno-deficiency Virus
Virus that affects the immune system
Causes AIDS

6. What is AIDS? AIDS: Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome
Acquired: Passed from another source, not genetic
Immune: The system that helps the body to fight against diseases
Deficiency: Impairment of the immune system
Syndrome: Collection of illnesses, not just one

7. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIV AND AIDS
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS
A person who has HIV may not appear sick
Over time, the person becomes more ill with a variety of conditions
Those conditions may lead to an AIDS diagnosis
A person with HIV does not necessarily have AIDS

8. How is HIV Transmitted? 88% through unprotected hetero-sexual contact
10% through infected mother to child
2% through other modes e.g. Infected blood, use of invasive materials etc
Sexual contact highest mode in Malawi
Anal a most risky sexual practice
Sexually transmitted infections increase risk of transmission
Women more at risk than men

9. In summary HIV is contracted thru:
Having unprotected sex with infected partners
Through mother to Child transmission
During pregnancy
During delivery
Breast feeding
Through blood products such as; invasive materials, blood transfusion

10. How to Prevent HIV Transmission
Safer sex
Safer sex means sexual contact that does not involve any blood, semen or vaginal fluids being passed between partners.
Safe blood
Safe needles, safe razor blades
Safe motherhood

11. In summary HIV can be prevented thru:
Abstinence
Being faithful to one uninfected partner
Stay safe by condomizing correctly

12. What is the Immune System? --A
Everyone has a natural immunity which acts as a shield against sickness
We keep our shield strong by taking care of our health:
Eating balance diet
Managing stress
Keeping fit

13. What is the Immune System? --B
Our shield always minimises the impact of different illnesses in our body
Despite having a strong shield, some sickness arrows can still pierce the human body
One can still get sick at one time or another

14. What is the Immune System? --C
The HIV virus works differently from other viruses, it does not make us sick by itself, it attacks our shield making tears and holes

15. What is the Immune System? --D
With our shield gone, other illnesses like TB, malaria, etc. Can pass easily and with more strength.
We call these, opportunistic infections

16. What is the Immune System? --E
Even if HIV+, we still feel strong and well
This is because we still have strong shield, and fewer HIV arrows.
We cannot see this outside

17. What is the Immune System? --F
Over time, this begins to change.
More HIV arrows are produced which attack more of our shield.

18. What is the Immune System? --F
Slowly the person may start showing some signs of the infection like weight loss. The shield inside is getting severely affected.

19. What is the Immune System? --G
With full blown AIDS, there are many HIV arrows in our bodies, and almost no shield left to defend us.

20. What is the Immune System? --G
Here, the shield has collapsed. This time the person becomes incapacitated because of multiple illnesses like TB, skin cancer and others can easily invade the body

21. Important Points Many people with HIV look and feel healthy
After HIV gets into a person’s body, it will stay forever. HIV can not be cured
Over time, HIV causes damage to the immune system
A person with damaged immune system gets sick often
After some time, the person may be diagnosed with AIDS

22. Window Period
Window period lasts from the time a person is first infected until they develop enough antibodies to test positive on an HIV antibody test
A person who is positive may test negative during this time
From 4-6 weeks for most people
For some people, it may take up to 12 weeks. This is very rare
The virus can still be passed to others

23. HIV & AIDS PROFILE
National prevalence is at 10.6% (urban 17.4% and rural 8.9%).
Higher in women at 12.9% versus men at 8.1%.
Higher among women with more than secondary education at 16.3% (men 11.9%) versus non-educated women at 14.1% (10.9% men).
HIV prevalence is also high among widowed women at 50.1% and among divorcees (24.8% female and 20.7% men).
Prevalence is highest in Southern Region at 14.5% against 7.6% for Central and 6.6% for northern region.
HIV prevalence among young women aged is 2.7 times than among young men aged 15.24, at 5.2% and 1.9% respectively against a national figure of 3.6%

24. HIV Prevalence by Region
Northern
6.6%
Central
7.6%
Southern
14.5%
Percent HIV positive,
men and women age 15-49

25. What Behaviours are Facilitating New HIV Infections?
Multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships(Unfaithfulness)
Discordancy in long term couples
Low and inconsistent condom use in high risk sex
Late initiation of ART
Transactional sex
Gender inequalities that fuels GBV and leads to low negotiation power women
Low uptake of VMMC
Harmful cultural practices

26. Other Contributing Factors of HIV & AIDS in Malawi
Knowledge gap on issues of HIV/AIDS
Low risk perception among many Malawians e.g., sex without a condom is sweeter & fetches more money (prostitutes)
Harmful cultural sexual beliefs & practices eg fisi, chokolo, kulowa, kufa etc
Religious beliefs ie condoms promote promiscuity

27. Other Contributing Factors of HIV & AIDS in Malawi
Incorrect condom use during sex
Gender inequalities
Peer pressure, pornography
High stigma & discrimination related to HIV/AIDS
Resistance to change

28. THANK YOU