Earlier, the people of Afghanistan were wriggling under the tyrannical rule of Taliban and Al-Qaeda and then came the American-led ‘war against terror’, which further exacerbated their lives. However, during Taliban regime there was one thing that people of Afghanistan could boast of. This was HIV/AIDS free Afghanistan but now this horrific disease is slowly but steadily encroaching upon the people of Afghanistan, which is quite a deplorable issue. Afghanistan is deeply a religious country where sex except marital partner is illegal but even then, this deadly virus has somehow managed to sprout here. So, the question arises, how? The answer of this question lies mainly in its demographic condition. As we know, Afghanistan is encircled by countries like Russia, China, India and Pakistan, which are known to have higher percentage of patients with HIV/AIDS. Moreover, countries like Pakistan and Iran where there is high levels of drug addiction, increases people’s vulnerability to HIV transmission knowingly or unknowingly, giving the gift of HIV/AIDS to the people of Afghanistan, as diseases, pandemics know no borders. Expressing the similar view, experts say: AIDS can easily cross borders, carried by migrants or refugees who pick up drug habits or have sex with infected people in those countries and return home. Rates of drug addiction are rising in Afghanistan, with its booming opium and heroin trade. Secondly, social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS is another factor, which encourages people to hide the symptoms of this disease. This very social stigma is preventing the people of Afghanistan from talking about the causes and repercussions of this deadly virus. As a result, the billow of awareness has failed to reach the masses, increasing people’s susceptibility to HIV/AIDS. Normally, HIV/AIDS is associated with unsafe or immoral sex practices, which I think is one of the factors behind this much of rise in HIV cases. People should be made aware about the fact that HIV virus may slip into one’s body through other ways too like a person could be infected if he is transfused infected blood or if he uses infected syringe. And as an estimate of World Health Organization (WHO) states that even after five years of international assistance to the health sector, only 30 percent of blood used in transfusions in hospitals is screened for HIV, shows that how incapable health sector of Afghanistan is in preventing people from HIV transmission. In brief, it could be asserted that in order to save the people of Afghanistan from the wrath of HIV/AIDS there needs to be a well-woven strategy, including public awareness campaign so that influx of this deadly virus could be kept at bay from the people of Afghanistan. Via: NY Times
South Africa losing battle against HIV/AIDS
AIDS is one threat that the whole world is fighting with. One of the mot affected areas, South Africa, seems to be losing its battle with HIV and AIDS, in spite of the whole layout of strategies and ongoing treatments. The death rates have been increasing and the supply of treatments seems to have no effect on the statistics. The confirmation comes with the UNICEF’s South Africa representative warning that says that the country may soon lose against HIV/AIDS. The reports also say that the country even lose in meeting the goals accorded by UN’s Millennium Development Goal, especially infant and maternal mortality rates. South Africa is in line to face major health disasters as young mothers are dying from AIDS and their infants can in no case survive. With such conditions increasing, there are chances that by 2015, there will be almost five million orphans in South Africa alone. Today the life expectancy in the nation has dropped to less then 47, which in 1990 were about 69. Statistics show that each year about 400,000 people die mainly due to AIDS/HIV and other related causes alone. Why this is happening in spite of the treatments pouring in is because of the fact that till today people in the nation aren’t educated regarding AIDS, they still are stigmatized against it, lack of education and knowledge on this issue leads them to hide there condition, they fear social isolation. What is needed is work on the root cause explaining that even disease like AIDS can be treated like any other diseases and even prevented. The reports also said that only 380,000 South African Aids patients were receiving anti-retroviral drugs, which simply means that almost 2 million were not receiving the required treatment. What is needed is first of all, educating everyone about the disease and then an absolute effort to outdo the number of deaths and infections with treatments, education and preventions.
Fighting HIV gets easier with green tea
Green tea could go a long way in offering protection against HIV. A compound existing in the tea could prevent virus getting binded to the immune system cells and it could even slow the spreading of infection and even bring down the risk of getting HIV. All you guys who are getting tempted after reading this piece of information should take into consideration that neither it is a cure nor it offers protection against catching infection but green tea along with conventional medicines could surely improve the life quality of infected patients. The compound called called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG has been found to block the path used by HIV for attacking the white blood cells of the immune system. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used for viewing binding of EGCG to the surface of T-cells which were donated by human patients. These findings have appeared in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology but people should not forget that protected sex is the best way to enjoy your life. Via channel4
Male circumcision quite effective against AIDS: WHO
After going through a phase that was filled with dissents, finally circumcision has managed to get approval from the World Health Organization too. Actually, World Health Organization (WHO) has taken an official stance in favor of male circumcision by touting it as a prolific method that lowers the risk of HIV transmission. Researchers from the U.S. were the first to dub it (circumcision) as an effective tool to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS, which was later much criticized by some people. Here it is important to note that several studies, aimed at knowing the effectiveness of circumcision against HIV/AIDS, have shown that circumcision helps curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS. And this very factor has prompted WHO to come for its support. WHO firmly believes that male circumcision should be part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package that includes: � The provision of HIV testing and counseling services. � Treatment for sexually transmitted infections. � The promotion of safer sex practices. � The provision of male and female condoms and promotion of their correct and consistent use. WHO believes that more study is essential to know the way circumcision protects from HIV transmission. Moreover, it (WHO) thinks that circumcision should be adopted as a prolific tool against HIV/AIDS. In addition, it has also emphasized that other methods, including safe sex, condom use, etc. should also be given due importance as circumcision provides just partial protection and considering it a full shield against HIV/AIDS would be a great mistake. Image Via: Daily News Central
Breast-feeding may lower risk of HIV in African babies
For most mothers, breastfeeding is without question the best way to feed their babies. Breast milk provides all of the nutrients an infant needs during the first few months of life; it is usually readily available and costs nothing. Breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child and, because of its contraceptive effect, helps to control the spacing of pregnancies. In Africa researches recently have found that, ‘Women infected with HIV who exclusively breastfeed their babies reduce the risk of transmitting the virus’. Infants who were given solids in addition to breast milk were almost 11 times more likely to become infected compared with those who had only breast milk. Infants who received formula milk or animal milk in addition to breast milk were nearly twice as likely to be infected. In comparison, the risk of transmission to infants fed only breast milk was four percent. A trial of 958 women in Zambia found that babies who become infected with AIDS also did better and were less likely to die when they continued to breast-feed. The WHO recommended that HIV-infected mothers exclusively breast-feed for the first six months unless substitute milk is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe for them and their infants. HIV-positive mothers in well-resourced countries are advised to avoid breastfeeding because the risk of HIV transmission far outweighs the risks associated with replacement feeding. In other parts of the world, where the dangers of replacement feeding are much greater, the decision is not nearly as straightforward. Millions of HIV-positive women in developing countries face an agonising dilemma about how to feed their babies. Whichever option they choose, they are likely to face a number of difficult challenges. Over the years there has been much debate about how best to help and advise these women. In many poor parts of Africa, formula or animal milk is expensive and cannot act as a total substitute for breastfeeding. Thatswhy Breast-feed is better option. Breastfeeding issues Studies have shown that mixed feeding – giving other foods or liquids as well as breast milk – should be avoided as far as possible because it substantially increases the chances of HIV transmission and death. Breast milk provides all of the fluids and nutrients that a young baby requires, so even water can and should be avoided. Although it is not fully understood why mixed feeding leads to such a high risk of HIV transmission, it is thought likely that the extra foods and liquids damage the infant’s immature digestive system, making it easier for HIV in breast milk to enter the tissues. In addition, mixed feeding may introduce harmful germs, and may reduce gut acidity, making it easier for infections to take hold. Mixed feeding is therefore never advisable during the first few months of a baby’s life, regardless of the mother’s HIV status. An HIV-positive mother can improve the safety of her own breast milk by expressing it into a container and submitting it to either flash-heating or Pretoria pasteurisation. Flash-heating is achieved by placing the covered container in a pot of water and heating until the water bubbles, then removing the container and letting it cool. Pretoria pasteurisation involves boiling a small pot of water, removing it from the heat, immersing the container, covering the pan and leaving it to cool for 20 minutes. Both of these methods, if performed correctly, destroy HIV while preserving much of the goodness of the milk. However they are time consuming and require a lot of fuel. Some women may choose to compromise by using one of these methods only during weaning, when the risk of HIV transmission is likely to be greatest. The most effective way for an HIV-positive mother to prevent her child becoming infected is to avoid breastfeeding. If HIV prevention were the only consideration then this would always be the preferred option. However, in practice, limited resources and additional health threats mean that exclusive breastfeeding is a better option for many of the world’s poorest countries. Promoting replacement feeding in inappropriate settings does more harm than good. Mixed feeding, though normal in much of the world, is never the best choice. Via: CBC
Asia in the throes of HIV infection
Looking at the present scenario it could be said that entire Asia is quite susceptible to HIV infection as more and more people are being engulfed by the spate of HIV/AIDS.This confirms the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia, according to which the number of HIV infected people in Asia, is likely to double over the next five years, especially if fight against HIV/AIDS is not fueled further with more prolific strategies. According to this commission: � There are about 8.6 million people in Asia alone with this deadly virus. � This number is likely to reach about 20 million in the next five years. � Averagely 500,000 people die of HIV/AIDS in the Asian region alone. � Asian region bears losses of approximately $10 billion annually. � This financial loss is likely to touch $29 billion mark per year, in case Asia fails to hamshackle the mammoth of HIV/AIDS. Deploring on the present situation prevailing in Asia, the commissioned feared that about 8.6 million people are infected in Asia with HIV. At the current level of inadequate response, it is expected this number will rise to about 20 million in the next five years. In other words, if we say that not a particular part but the whole Asia is in the throes of HIV/AIDS then perhaps it won’t be wrong. Until the late 1980s, Asia was proud to be the continent without a major AIDS epidemic. However, by the time 1990s came to its closing, Asia came to known as a continent, infested with HIV infected patients. It is quite pitiable that countries like India, China, Pakistan, and even small countries like Indonesia are also sinking into the slough of HIV/AIDS. According to an estimate, most populated countries on the planet, namely India and China do have at least 5 million people with this deadly infection. This clearly shows that how worst situation is bound to be in the upcoming days. The situation looks grimmer when countries like Afghanistan are also seen sharing the same menace. Actually, many factors are constantly fueling the holocaust HIV/AIDS in Asia, in which factors are drug abuse, paid sex, unsafe sex, etc. could be counted easily. An overview of Asian countries shows that ignorance is the main culprit behind this inundation of HIV infection. Therefore, in order to curb the spread of HIV infection main focus should be on kindling awareness among the masses. And for that huge investment is required, which currently this campaign (anti-HIV/AIDS) is running short of, since the commission itself reveals that investments in HIV control in the region remain extremely low at 10% of the required $5 billion per year. Image Via: USA Today
New York City can follow circumcision to prevent HIV infection
These days HIV is one of deadly disease for mankind. So many efforts are being taken to spread it but still we are witnessing increase in number of HIV patients all over the world. Some time back I had gone through an article on HIV that says Circumcision can reduce the rate of HIV infections among heterosexual men by around sixty percent. Now New York City is considering promoting circumcision among the city’s men might help to reduce the spread of HIV there. The circumcision was very successful in in Africa, cutting the infection rate by 60 percent in circumcised Ugandans, Kenyans and South Africans compared with their intact compatriots. On 28 March, WHO and UNAIDS endorsed it as a means of reducing HIV spread. But circumcision will be effective for men who only have sex with women. So do you think that similar strategy can be follow for New York, where sex between men and infection through intravenous drug are common? According to Kim Dickson who chaired UNAIDS/WHO working group says, At this point, we don’t have data to support circumcision as a public health measure in epidemics mainly driven by men who have sex with men, and intravenous drug use. But New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is denying about any circumcision campaign. However, she said, We are beginning discussions with our community partners and the medical community to learn whether the compelling findings [from Africa] may be helpful in fighting HIV in New York.
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HIV/AIDS Youth Under-20 Tournament – A Notwane Netball Club endeavor to fight HIV/AIDS
The Notwane Netball Club hosted ‘HIV/AIDS Youth Under-20 tournament’ that will be played in Gaborone. It is a tournament played with a noble mission of fighting HIV/AIDS. Other than Notwane, you can watch out for the performances of the Moshupa Lovers, Phikwe Prisons, Flying Hawks, BDF Cats and Jungle Queens. The tournament will begin at midday and it will last for two days. What makes this tournament a must-watch is that you have a chance of educating yourself immensely on HIV/AIDS which happens to be one of the major life-threatening diseases of the globe today. You will appreciate the efforts the Notwane Netball Club is putting in fighting this disease. The agenda of their noble mission includes conducting tests for diagnosing aids and also imparting awareness education. Their objective to eradicate HIV/AIDS from Botswana by 2016 shows their commitment to the cause of their nation. Their efforts to spread their message across through sports are worth-congratulating. This is because sports events attract huge crowds and hence are apt for conveying information on important social issues to the masses. The Botswana Netball Association says that the tournament aims to expose girls to the hazards of HIV/AIDS and develop a disciplined and responsible attitude towards life. In agreement with the opinion of the Project Manager of the event, Ntebo Mocuminyane(“I think the discipline prize is the most important as the fight against HIV/AIDS is most about behavior”), the best answer to HIV/AIDS is to be disciplined in one’s behavior. The Notwane Netball Club’s choice of holding the tournament for young players is again a praiseworthy decision. Being in line with Gracious Koaone Seru’s opinion (“The future of the sport lies with young players and this is a good development for our sport and players”), the young of today will be the responsible citizens of tomorrow and making them aware of potential threats to their population will be rewarding in future. Moreover, the under-20 age group is highly vulnerable to social ills and hence the one that needs to be shown proper direction in life the most. Another criterion that reveals the dignified character of the Notwane Netball Club is that there is no prize money awarded. There are trophies for the best three teams and miniature trophies for the best and the most disciplined players. Medals and certificates will be awarded to the worthy players. You can also take HIV/AIDS information from PSI and YOHO and avail counseling services from Tebelopele. Don’t miss out on the motivational discourse of politician and musician Gomolemo Motswaledi and also the narration of an HIV/AIDS activist. Via: allAfrica, The Voice online
Is AIDS a global problem or someone else’s problem?
After countries like United States, Brunei, China, Iraq, South Korea, Moldavia, Russia and Saudi Arabia, perhaps it is turn of Australia to embrace discriminating policy against HIV immigrants, as Australian Prime Minister John Howard has also called for HIV migrant ban. In his statement, he said that Australia should refuse to allow migrants or refugees with HIV to enter the country. This remark from Australian prime minister, John Howard has come like a bolt from the blue for millions of HIV patients, living all round the world. More worrying is the fact that this proposal as come at such time when AIDS is increasing worldwide. This call from Howard has exasperated AIDS experts all round the world but in this series, exasperation, kicked off by African AIDS experts, seems to be more vehement, as representatives from various organization from across Africa attending on HIV-AIDS workshop in Dar-es-Salaam accused Mr Howard to over-reacting and called on him to reconsider. Actually, this is not for the first time when John Howard has come up with such tough stand on immigration because earlier too he had banned immigration of patients with TB. However, taking similar stand against HIV-infected immigrants doesn’t sound sensible because HIV infection can never be compared with tuberculosis, as tuberculosis is contagious and airborne disease while HIV is not contagious but transmissible. No doubt, rising rate of HIV infected people in Australia, which has rose by 41% between 2000 and 2005 has tempted Howard to come up with such proposal but in doing so, it seems that he has looked upon this problem in quite a constricted manner. And this proposal has come out undraping his ideology to treat HIV/AIDS as ‘some one else’s problem’. Besides, it has goaded out some very radical questions like: 1. Are proclamations to fight AIDS globally, merely hollow slogans? 2. Is the ideology that treats AIDS as ‘some one else’s problem’, not a stint in fight against HIV/AIDS? 3. Is the force, being injected into fight against HIV/AIDS, adequate or not? These are some such questions, which need to be answered earnestly; otherwise, fight against HIV/AIDS may turn direction-less. In addition, efforts being made to crush the hood of HIV/AIDS may also come to naught, if we go on treating HIV/AIDS as ‘someone else’s problem’. Via: Topix
Only 19 pc of the needy in Asia get AIDS drugs: WHO
May be there has been noted a significant growth in access to HIV treatment in the year of 2006. However, most of the Asian countries still have a long way to go before cheering up as a report by World health organization reveals that only 19 per cent of Asians who need AIDS drugs receive them. This revelation really points to a bad portent, especially for the ongoing war against HIV/AIDS because according to an estimate, there are 7.8 million people living with HIV out of the world’s total of nearly 40 million cases, alone in the east, south and southeast Asia. Here it is worth mentioning that India is one of the countries with multi-billion-dollar AIDS prevention program. However, it is quite unfortunate that in spite of this high-profile AIDS prevention drive; hardly three per cent of the HIV-positive pregnant women in India have access to drugs that are used for prevention of viral transmission from mother to child in 2005. Moreover, countries like India, which in the recent years, has emerged on the world-map due to her march towards economic progress is having 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS. This report about Asian countries may blur the goal that aspires for achieving the target of universal access to comprehensive prevention programs by 2010 because achieving this goal by keeping in view the report about Asian countries, seems to be a tough target. As the report states: Universal access by 2010 will require a steep increase in the number of people starting treatment every year. More worrying is the fact that performance shown by Asian countries, in this regard, is surprisingly nastiest than many Caribbean and Latin American countries, as the figures show that that overall treatment coverage in these Caribbean and Latin American countries is 72 per cent. And unfortunately, this difference is there despite the fact that economically these Caribbean and Latin American countries are weaker than many Asian countries. After pondering over the HIV/AIDS situation, prevailing in Asia, it could be said that merely erection of multi-billion-dollar AIDS prevention program doesn’t ensure complete fight against HIV/AIDS, so long as they carry several loopholes. Therefore, such plans need to be revamped; otherwise, they would just prove like mammoth-sized ships having rips. Image Source