Human immunodeficiency virus infection and AIDS in east Africa: challenges and possibilities for prevention and control.
East Afr Med J
; 73(1): 13-9, 1996 Jan.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8625855
ABSTRACT
PIP: HIV/AIDS poses a major health and socioeconomic burden in east Africa. More than 50% of adults and 10-15% of children admitted to some of the national and provincial hospitals in the region have HIV/AIDS. AIDS is the leading cause of death among people aged 15-45. Tuberculosis, an opportunistic infection associated with HIV infection, has risen more than three times in some east African countries. 10-30% of adults in urban areas and from less than 1% to 25% of adults in rural areas are infected with HIV. In fact, HIV prevalence is still increasing; so the full impact of AIDS in eastern Africa has not yet occurred. Yet in many developed countries, HIV infection has peaked and HIV/AIDS is no longer a top priority. Poverty, ignorance, high prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and associated cultural and traditional practices (e.g., inheritance of widows and polygamy), which abound and facilitate HIV transmission, account for the differences in HIV prevalence between east Africa and developed countries. Heterosexual intercourse accounts for more than 80% of HIV infections in east Africa. Perinatal transmission accounts for 5-15% of HIV cases. Blood and blood products transmitted HIV in the remaining cases. There have been considerable scientific advances in immunopathology of AIDS, diagnostics, and social behavioral studies; yet a cure and/or an effective vaccine is not in the near future. Recently, scientists have discovered that a mother's use of zidovudine during the last weeks of pregnancy and labor and zidovudine administered to the newborn significantly reduce perinatal HIV transmission. The knowledge and tools for preventing HIV transmission are available worldwide, but AIDS control in eastern Africa is apt to be for naught unless strong efforts are implemented toward the reduction of poverty, ignorance, and in the control of other common STDs.
Palabras clave
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome--prevention and control; Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Critique; Developed Countries; Developing Countries; Diseases; Eastern Africa; Epidemiology; Health; Hiv Infections--prevention and control; Hiv Infections--transmission; Hiv Infections--women; Infections; Knowledge; Obstacles; Organization And Administration; Public Health; Reproductive Tract Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Viral Diseases
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones por VIH
/
Seroprevalencia de VIH
/
Países en Desarrollo
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
East Afr Med J
Año:
1996
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Tanzania
Pais de publicación:
Kenia