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CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is recognized as the final stage of a viral infection caused by Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV); therefore AIDS is indicative of an underlying cellular immune deficiency (Birchall & Murphy, 1992). It was first detected among homosexuals and drug users in the USA in 1981. Since then the disease has now spread to all the corners of the world. Two strains of HIV are recognized by medical experts: HIV -1 (discovered in 1983) and HIV-2 (discovered in 1986). HIV-1 is generally accepted as the cause of most AIDS cases throughout the world while HIV-2 was first discovered in West Africa and later in some Portuguese colonies and Europe and account for the infection in West Africa. Three modes of transmission are generally identified: sexual, blood contact and mother-to-child. Sexual transmission could arise from heterosexual (man-to-woman or woman-to-man) and homosexual (man-to-man) relationships. Consequently having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person could result in exchange of body fluids. Concurrent multiple sex partners, low level male circumcision and inconsistent and incorrect condom use have been identified as the predominant risk factors that have made escalation of HIV infections in Africa difficult to stem (SAD C, 2006; Halperin & Epstein, 2007) The progression from infection with HIV to AIDS takes approximately 10 years, although drug intervention (antiretroviral) that aims at blocking the progression of HIV to AIDS has been successful in slowing down the progression and ultimately prolonging the life of infected persons (Zopola, et al., 2010). However, once AIDS is diagnosed a person usually dies within a year or two thereafter. Infants generally die more rapidly. (Adetunji, 2000). AIDS has gone a long way since it was
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is recognized as the final stage of a viral infection caused by Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV); therefore AIDS is indicative of an underlying cellular immune deficiency (Birchall & Murphy, 1992). It was first detected among homosexuals and drug users in the USA in 1981. Since then the disease has now spread to all the corners of the world. Two strains of HIV are recognized by medical experts: HIV -1 (discovered in 1983) and HIV-2 (discovered in 1986). HIV-1 is generally accepted as the cause of most AIDS cases throughout the world while HIV-2 was first discovered in West Africa and later in some Portuguese colonies and Europe and account for the infection in West Africa. Three modes of transmission are generally identified: sexual, blood contact and mother-to-child. Sexual transmission could arise from heterosexual (man-to-woman or woman-to-man) and homosexual (man-to-man) relationships. Consequently having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person could result in exchange of body fluids. Concurrent multiple sex partners, low level male circumcision and inconsistent and incorrect condom use have been identified as the predominant risk factors that have made escalation of HIV infections in Africa difficult to stem (SAD C, 2006; Halperin & Epstein, 2007) The progression from infection with HIV to AIDS takes approximately 10 years, although drug intervention (antiretroviral) that aims at blocking the progression of HIV to AIDS has been successful in slowing down the progression and ultimately prolonging the life of infected persons (Zopola, et al., 2010). However, once AIDS is diagnosed a person usually dies within a year or two thereafter. Infants generally die more rapidly. (Adetunji, 2000). AIDS has gone a long way since it was