Worldwide some 15.2 million children under 18 have lost one or both parents to AIDS. By 2010, more than 20 million children will have been orphaned by AIDS. The figures reflect the ‘tragically insufficient’ global response to protect and support HIV-infected and AIDS-affected children. However, this is set to change according to a report by UNICEF, the UN children’s agency.
Equity and HIV/AIDS
More children with HIV but more getting treatment
Sandrasagra M: Inter Press Service News Agency, 17 January 2007
Zambia: Shielding children from their HIV status does more harm than good
Integrated Regional Information Network, 25 January 2007
Zambia's attempts to promote paediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence are being undermined by families and communities who shield children in their care from knowing their HIV/AIDS status, health experts say. "Disclosing their status to an HIV-positive child is a difficult process and it requires specialised skills in paediatric counselling but, unfortunately, many affected communities and families are lacking such counsellors and skills," Canisius Banda, a spokesperson in the Zambian Ministry of Health told IRIN.
Angola: Enthusiastic caregivers and silent sufferers
The Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), 13 December 2006
Fear of stigmatisation in Angola is keeping people living with HIV/AIDS in hiding. Caregivers are more than willing to help but are having a hard time finding patients to take care of. "People prefer to keep silent and to die in silence," Ambrósio Cabral, coordinator of Angola's Red Cross HIV/AIDS programme, told IRIN/PlusNews.
Awareness raising on HIV/AIDS and human rights
SAHRiNGON and Arasa, 28 July 2006
This draft meeting report is the result of a resolution taken by the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA). ARASA was tasked with drawing up a code that is similar to the SADC code on HIV and Employment, but focussed specifically on gender related issues within the Aids epidemic.
Changes in sexual behaviours to prevent HIV
de Irala J, Alonso A: Lancet 368 (9549), 1749-1750, 18-24 November 2006
This article refers to that by John Cleland and Mohamed Ali in the same issue of the Lancet. The authors offer interesting results on behaviours about HIV sexual transmission in women from different African countries. Cleland and Ali use information from all countries in sub-Saharan Africa that have had two or more Demographic and Health Surveys since 1990 to estimate behaviour trends.Their study is valuable for epidemiologists and public-health practitioners, and has important strengths.
Dealing with HIV and AIDS: Solutions in ordinary people's actions
id21 insights 64, November 2006
Twenty-five years of knowingly living with HIV, the global community is still falling behind the virus in its alarming, complex and often hidden progress. Despite many diverse and creative successes in committed peoples' responses and many lessons drawn along the way, few have been widely adopted. Civil society groups have often led the way. A passionate - sometimes desperate - drive to respond to HIV and AIDS, and their own diversity unites them. This issue of id21 insights features examples of such real-life responses and asks: how can we move forward to catch up with the virus?
Effect of a structural intervention for the prevention of intimate-partner violence and HIV in rural South Africa: A cluster randomised trial
Pronyk PM, Hargreaves JR, Kim JC: The Lancet 368:1973-1983, 2 Decemer 2006
A research article highlights how the combination of a microfinance initiative and an educational programme can empower women and reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence in rural South African communities. The study showed no effect, however, in reducing HIV.
Effect of the HIV epidemic on infant feeding in South Africa
Doherty T, Chopra M, Nkonki L: Bulletin of the World Health Organization 84 (2), 2006
This article, published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, explores how the HIV epidemic has affected the infant feeding experiences of HIV-positive mothers in South Africa. The paper finds that the HIV epidemic has changed the context in which infant-feeding choices are made and implemented. HIV positive mothers are struggling to protect their decision-making autonomy; uncertainty about the safety of breastfeeding has increased the power and influence of health workers who act as gatekeepers to knowledge and resources such as formula milk. Women who chose to exclusively formula feed experience difficulties accessing formula milk because of inflexible policies and a lack of supplies at clinics. Limited support for mothers with newborn babies can result in social isolation and mothers doubting their ability to care for their children.
Global Fund round 6 grants to the Alliance of up to $83m will enable much needed work with those most vulnerable to HIV
International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 27 November 2006
Organisations in the International HIV/AIDS Alliance have been awarded up to $83 million in the sixth round of grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Proposals have been successful in Alliance countries including India, Morocco, Senegal and Ukraine, with Global Fund grants for these countries totalling $480 million.
HIV incidence among women of reproductive age in Malawi and Zimbabwe
Kumwenda N, Hoffman I , Chirenje M, et al: Sexually Transmitted Diseases 33 (11), 646-651, 2006
The article examines the incidence of HIV infection among women of reproductive age in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Of the 2,016 women who participated in the study, 1,679 were tested for HIV during follow up and 113 seroconverted resulting in an overall HIV incidence rate of 4.7 per 100 women. HIV incidence continues to be high among women in both countries despite counselling and condom promotion.