What Social Factors Have Driven the Spread of Hiv/Aids in Sub-Saharan Africa?
What social factors have driven the spread of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa?
The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, and from an infected mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. AIDS is a debilitating condition that has great social, psychological and economic impact on both the individual and the wider community. Besides causing physical deterioration of the individual, AIDS can lead to stigmatization and economic hardship. The cost of AIDS to Sub-Saharan Africa is significant: without proper treatment for the HIV/AIDS population, life expectancy would be sharply reduced. The economy would be badly affected due to the loss of labour to death and absenteeism from work, as well as the strain on the healthcare system, which could exacerbate poverty. Due to the long incubation period of the virus, the impact of AIDS on Sub-Saharan Africa will still be deeply felt for years to come even if its spread is halted today.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the region worst hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world, and is considered to be the global epicentre of the disease. In 2011, there were approximately 23.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, making up 69 percent of all people suffering from AIDS in the world. Among these people, women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, making up 58 percent of the population with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2012). The main mode of transmission of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa is sexual, with 80 percent of adult transmission being heterosexual (Singhal and Howard, 2003). The countries that are most affected lie in East and Southern Africa, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As Sub-Saharan Africa is a demographically and culturally diverse region,
The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, and from an infected mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. AIDS is a debilitating condition that has great social, psychological and economic impact on both the individual and the wider community. Besides causing physical deterioration of the individual, AIDS can lead to stigmatization and economic hardship. The cost of AIDS to Sub-Saharan Africa is significant: without proper treatment for the HIV/AIDS population, life expectancy would be sharply reduced. The economy would be badly affected due to the loss of labour to death and absenteeism from work, as well as the strain on the healthcare system, which could exacerbate poverty. Due to the long incubation period of the virus, the impact of AIDS on Sub-Saharan Africa will still be deeply felt for years to come even if its spread is halted today.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the region worst hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world, and is considered to be the global epicentre of the disease. In 2011, there were approximately 23.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, making up 69 percent of all people suffering from AIDS in the world. Among these people, women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, making up 58 percent of the population with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2012). The main mode of transmission of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa is sexual, with 80 percent of adult transmission being heterosexual (Singhal and Howard, 2003). The countries that are most affected lie in East and Southern Africa, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As Sub-Saharan Africa is a demographically and culturally diverse region,
References: 5) Feldman, D. (Ed.) (2008). AIDS, Culture and Africa. United States of America: University Press of Florida 6) World Health Organization 7) United States Development Programme. (2011). Fact Sheet: Women and Girls. [Fact Sheet] Retrieved from: http://www.hivlawcommission.org/index.php/ard-dialogue-documentation?task=document.viewdoc&id=40 8) Mbonu, N., van den Borne, B., Vries, N 9) Chela, C. (2001). HIV, Gender and Health. United Kingdom: Commonwealth Secretariat 10) Douglas, I., Hall, D., Anderson, J 11) Kalipeni, E., Craddock, S., Oppong, J., Ghosh,J. (Eds.) (2004). HIV and AIDS in Africa: Beyond Epidemiology.United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 12) Hubley, J. (2001). Lessons Learnt from AIDS Health Promotion. United Kingdom: Commonwealth Secretariat 13) Biggs, N