ARE UGANDANS SAFE?
Condoms are test tube-like sheaths made out of latex or polyurethane. Its use in Uganda must have started after the establishment of the Aids Control Programme in 1987 -to educate the public about how to avoid becoming infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) -under the clinical umbrella of; Abstinence, Being –faithful and Use of condoms (ABC).
Studies have confirmed that condoms are highly effective method of preventing HIV/AIDS –with effective rates ranging between 80% and 95% -depending on how they are effectively and consistently used. While female condoms, which give a woman more bargaining position, are at 98% (Population Action International, 2008).
According to World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States National Institute of Health, intact condoms are essentially impermeable to particles the size of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) pathogens –including the smallest Sexually Transmitted Virus (STV).
Much of the percentages for effective rates vary from one information source to another –all of which do not reach 100%. Yet one would be dealing with a life threatening disease. Greater confidence has shown on how condoms are manufactured, under strict quality control measures, which too stipulate that they are safe. But quality measurements are done basing on a merely on a particular sample of say, five or ten. What quality assurance, then, could one give to those outside the sample?
And with inaccessibility problem still at hand, where in Uganda, the gates to health bodies are now wide open to catch the virus. Mayuge District, with one of the greatest cases of teenage pregnancy, and probably, most fertile people, access is very remote. Yet the majority of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are more in towns than rural areas. This puts health security at stake.
Firstly, in one independent survey carried out on HIV risk in Mayuge, young people, at least once, had unprotected sex. While at the same time, HIV testing facilities there are a dream. They could only be accessed at the main referral hospital. Now, how reliable could the prevalent rates be if in just one district the situation as that bad?
Secondly, absence of female condoms makes women entirely at risk of infection. If their male counter-part could find accessibility difficult, what would be the fate of women, who at all, lack key bargaining position; the female condoms?
Nevertheless, saying they (condoms) are effective, alone, is not enough because it would be a situation involving nature, fear and decision making to guarantee its usage. Not withstanding the fact that society has trained men to be brave, and women to be submissive, soft-hearted, and just to say yes to men’s advances. Given that background, how effective could condoms in particular and ABC strategy in general be?
Sex education too has not been adequate across post-primary and tertiary institutions. Well, an institution like Makerere University has Pastor Martin Ssempa –who has played a noble role in rallying students against HIV through abstinence slogan. As matter of fact, his works are already in the history of Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS.
But, firstly, are other schools and tertiary institution in similar motion against HIV/AIDS? Secondly, with the abstinence bit, as the value, does Ssempa’s team carry out annual survey to determine impact of his abstinence crusade?
Moreover, with the curiosity, that new students show, especially those joining universities from mainly strict homes and single schools; would be up to nothing, but to buzz into anyone that can treat the long awaited motive. Really, Ssempa’s abstinence gospel could be challenged. Yet, also, those arriving at universities; the land of the free could be like dogs that have just been let out.
Like, Ssempa, the Catholic Church is against condom use –preferring the mental condom. But with young people screaming hard to respond to their biological clocks, most obviously, could skip the church’s ditch, and manage “time” effectively. Moreover, for those who could be hit hard by the orthodox teaching, may suffer from secondary impotence. They could have got so much used to sexually restricted life, and then, feel most comfortable to do otherwise.
For domestic violence, child abuse, refugee camps, and conflict areas -where the risk of contracting HIV could be potentially high by virtue of the situation, and with condom use definitely un-negotiated, ABC and condom use in particular, would sound like here say to them. And neither Ssempa nor latex material would apply here.
Lack of knowledge about condom use could adversely count big for the young people. Even those, who have their access, might be using them without basic know how. They could, for example; be part of the cases that use same condom throughout the sex exercise, add unauthorized lubricants, use more than one or more condoms, fail to change at different stages of sex intercourse and unaware of when and under what circumstances he would change. What a mess!
Much of the effort, instead, must be on testing sexual partners that not only are about-to-marry, but also adolescents could be encouraged before joining sexual affairs. In about the same context, Uganda must face the reality that kids as early as 8 to 10 are at the stage of experimenting sexual feelings.
And thus; there is no reason, for sure, why condom distribution would be discouraged in primary schools. Are there records of no HIV transmission in the age bracket therein? It is something the country must take care of.
Meanwhile, sex education and life skills training could be started –where they are not, and strengthened, where they are. It would be with such a combination of training programmes that child or young adult would know how to deal with adolescent changes, pressures and/or inappropriate feelings as they emerge.
Truly, schools and tertiary institutions might need to change with changing times. How would it be if a child or student, who passed well at school went out and failed to approach life wholly? And, how would it feel if an ex-student ended up drowning into alcohol and drugs, fraud, drop out of school, join prostitution and, above all; catch HIV?
Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analysis
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com
waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk
+256774336277
Showing posts with label HIV/AIDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HIV/AIDS. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
HIV/AIDS Children Care Discussion
By Waiswa Jacob, waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk
DISCUSSING RESULTS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction:
The sample constituted age ranges of young people between 16-24. The majority 55.3% were between 23-24 years. Prevalence was high in females than males -represented by 77.7% compared to the 22.3% respectively.
Discussion
There were significant relationships between the variables; (Positive Living and Resilience), (Spirituality and Positive Living), and (Spirituality and Resilience). This meant that if the three variables were best utilized by ALWAs -as part of their lifestyle, they would be of high benefit to them in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. They could as well be vital for; effective health-care services delivery and mutual satisfaction between ALWAs and their care-givers. Practitioners, however, would need to practice mastery and responsibility to achieve overall success (Rutter, 1985).
For ALWAs, nurturing optimism would be the norm -since it was associated with strong immune system and long life (Weil, 2007). Consequently, positive attitudes about life (hope) would be formed in the lives of ALWAs, and help to boost health, happiness and satisfaction (Scott, 2007). Having achieved that, the possibility of ALWA living a natural lifespan or reach highest peaks achievable in life, could be held strongly. However, this requires having hope and courage (positivelivingonline.com, February 23rd, 2007).
Longer or not: the questions fall to the entire humanity to answer; regardless of whether sections of the populations have HIV/AIDS or not. The question of death could be answered by stating that; everyone must die and we all have to enjoy the present with anticipation of the best life could give as a governing principle for all. But, for PL and RE, the kind of death would be a decent and dignified one. However, successful life and decent death would result only if life was lived principally (Covey, 1989). Such principles as: fairness, integrity, nurturance etc were suggested. However, doing so would require of ALWAs to accept their situation and looking beyond it. That is; the pains and suffering (Zohar and Marshall , 2000:pg15).
In addition, death is natural, whose timing is only helped by healthy actions that would postpone it to many years ahead. For example; trusting personal abilities, accepting the situation and having trust in God (Scott, 2007). Like any other life challenge, one could fight it and eventually win or lose depending on their traits (positivelivingonline.com, December 1st, 2006). Struggling to survive is everyone’s obligation -involving relentless “fight” in anticipation of the best in life. This would not exclude ALWAs (project resilience, 1999). This would be achieved through; being respectful of others, not dwelling on problems and focusing on life positives (project resilience, 1999).
Health care managers could consider fostering RE, PL and SP through approaches like; personality, family, social, economic or educational, environmental or ecological and spiritual ones; for answers to shape survival needs of ALWAs - to wards blissful lives. Forming institutional structures to direct ALWAs’ health-living could be developed based on the noted approaches. This would significantly influence well-being (PL and RE) - (Henderson and Milstein, 1996, p.2.), while their (ALWAs) nurturance would be very vital to its achievement (well-being) - (Zimmerman, May 1994, p. 4).
Institutional structural design ought to be inclined to allow resources and support extraction for ALWAs in particular and HIV/AIDS issues in general (Grotberg, 1995). An ecological frame-work, to o, would provide a basis for the quality of life desired since decisions are made in line with ecological resources (Mwaka, 1991). Already, Garbarino (1993) stressed that the primary importance of a family was to help children become resilient or at least be able to deal with adversity. If the health management system was to be made relevant, the studied variables would have to be brought in to ‘play’ -through nurturing the above mentioned approaches and ensuring their sustainability for the benefit of ALWAs.
Unfortunately, Resilience has been marked right only in areas adolescent and/or child education (Frey, 1987) and conflict -as noted among the works of KSSP in northern Uganda (Glen, Obonyo and Annan, 2001). But, even the much emphasized PL aspects are not adequately utilized -because numbers of HIV+ people visiting health centers every clinical day are so overwhelming (Atuhaire: May 23rd, 2007 pg 14). The ratio of healthy workers to clients (in Kampala Health Centers) -seen every clinical day was to o small to cover the high number of all clients received.
About 10:200, of which 3/10 were doc to rs, 6/10 as peer trainers and 1 counselor. However, the number of clients, who arrived for treatment varied from one health center or AIDS clinic to another. In addition, the same personnel were rotated around other to wn health centers, twice a week for each center. They (clients) come as early as 7am and leave at 4pm. And, between the stated times, they were waiting to access doc to rs, counselors and ARVs -without lunch or breakfast being given to them. Yet, many of them (clients) came from upcountry to receive improved services in to wns (Waiswa, 2007).
In addition, when client’s health improves, they would tend to lose conscience that they have HIV/AIDS that requires seeking treatment as a permanent exercise. Subsequently, they get tempted to abandon treatment, (Nyanzi: Oc to ber 17th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4) –an act that undermines PL and RE. Those found to be concordant, would be held in disbelief that both must share a specific HIV status rather than just one of them. As a consequence, the HIV+ person as would the HIV negative one might tend to ignore the need for protection against infection and/or re-infection. And, would tend to find condom use unrealistic as married partners, thereby; making the HIV negative partner, be at full risk of contracting the virus.
There were also cases where a partner, who discovers his or her status as HIV+, fails to inform the untested partner whilst ensuring normal intimacy –accompanied with sex. The reason given was fear of losing a loving partner through rejection and separation, while under extreme cases, discovery of HIV status as HIV+ by one partner, could lead to violence or even murder (Egadu: Oc to ber 16th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4). Before climaxing in to death or fights, a wave of counter-accusations about responsibility for spreading the virus would be the main feature in the relationship. However, TASO partnered with its clients to prevent HIV/AIDS spread through having them know their roles and responsibilities –including the one of not being sexually reckless (Kakooza: Media Plus, 2007).
Worthy noting also, could be the homosexuals concerns. They are key members of the community in need of concern when dealing with issues regarding ALWAs in particular and HIV/AIDS in general. Throughout data collection, there were no confirmed related-groups found and interviewed to give whole-some conclusions about PL, SP and RE. US’ Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to report high levels of infection among homosexuals and the bi-sexual. In fact, there are an estimated 40,000 new HIV infections yearly with 70% of these being among men. Of those men who are infected 60% cases were through homosexual sex (Traditional Values Coalition: Special Report, May 2007). In Uganda , homosexual cases have taken root but, the National HIV/AIDS Frame-work does not cater for them. Vic to r Mukasa, a homosexual advocate, ridiculed Uganda ’s success in HIV/AIDS fight because the national HIV/AIDS programme excludes them, Mukasa (2006-05-18).
Like the saying “everyone for himself and God for us all”, families and communities, people get divided when required to support and care for HIV/AIDS people. This is so, because of stigma. This would put the lives of ALWAs at stake. Families and communities could not therefore, be relied upon for care and support. No wonder, over years, numerous NGOs have sprung up to fill the gap like; TASO, AIC, Mild-may etc. Yet, family care and community support are very vital in boosting RE and PL (Kimberly, 1998). At institutional level, those chattered to oversee care for HIV persons, highly promote stigma under the pretext of confidentiality and protection from harm. They are very sensitive non-client visi to rs. Besides, they use PLWA as a vehicle for employment and soliciting donor money rather than focusing on their well-being (Bogere, Oc to ber 2007). Unlike those managed by peers (those with HIV caring for others with same HIV status), who tend to be genuine, the HIV negative care-givers tend to easily lose empathy during care.
Notable cases are about those who error (due to sensory misgivings) at responding to roll-calls during clinical days. They would be given new appointments without treatment till the next clinical day (one to three month [s] later). Having noted that; there ought to be a review of organizations and their functional processes aimed at creating enabling environment to nurture not only RE but also PL, (Zimmerman, May 1994 pg 4). Risky jobs and harsh environments could lead to risky behaviors, from which ALWAs contract HIV/AIDS. In Nebbi District, HIV was highest in prisoners and soldiers –with infection increase of 7% (Okello: December 4th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 13).
Economic challenges, to o, could tend to dictate quality of SP, PL and RE. Most important to note is that sex continues to be the cheapest exchange-for money modes to survive economic hardships. In Kayunga, 52% of the women engage in pre-marital sex as a way to get money and necessities of life. And, of late, employers reportedly abused their offices by offering jobs in exchange for sex –a practice which exploits mainly females, (Muzaale: Wednesday, Oc to ber 7th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 15). These violate values of PL, SP and RE. It is the working ALWAs that are more favored to live healthy lives than unemployed ones. This is so, because they can afford a balanced diet everyday as well as other life essentials necessary for health-living.
Malawi ’s NAPHAM covers the unemployment gap in its programmes. For example, they have a poultry farm that provides alternative nutrition as well as employment to its members (Guardian Unlimited, 2007). Like NAPHAM members, employed ALWAs in Uganda would have the motivation to explore relationship with the Divine as well as attempt to please him by works (like, making an offer to ry in Church or Zakat practiced by Moslems).
But again, having to work hard everyday for a living; leaves no room for adequate resting. 7-8 hours of sleep-time, is there fore, a luxury. Work pressure would easily wear them up (deteriorate through; stress, fatigue and body-immunity suppression) - (Licenblat, 2007). As if to reinforce the point, (Genesis, 2:1-3) shows that; God rested after his creation work. And; who would be ALWAs not to rest? They thus, ought to create time to rest, relax, and meditate upon goodness in life. Yet, adequate sleeping and resting would be vital ingredient of PL, SP and RE strengthening.
Still to note, ALWAs either misuse SP or not at all utilize it. For example; some churches encouraged their members not to take ARVs –saying prayer alone heals, while others -who are successfully living-positively, do not apply fully the Divine requirements. TASO’s advisory committee chairman, Rev. Willy Olango, expressed concern about some churches discouraging HIV/AIDS patients from taking drugs (Ocowun: September 16th, 2007, The New Vision; as extracted from: healthnet.org).
No wonder; according to Dr. Fred Kigozi (head of Butabika Hospital ), people with mental health-related problems, who visited religious and traditional healers, hardly got cured. But, also, ALWAs would be co-crea to rs with God by both consulting him and taking drugs (Philippians, 4:8-9). Therefore, underutilizing drug treatment by ALWAs would potentially undermine SP, PL and RE.
Conclusion
A lot has been said and done about PL with a few inadequacies that could be corrected to achieve its desired goal, while a lot more needs to be done by researchers on the question of RE in line with its influences on good health and longer life for ALWAs –with it, as an independent variable. It is a study that would be very necessary at such a time when various remedy technologies are being craved for to manage and control HIV/AIDS.
Whereas SP being everybody’s area of retreat, preoccupation, occupation or concern, its consumers have tended to use it independent of positive living, though satisfying its relationship with RE. As a result, it has rendered individual life-struggle efforts limited and making life end predictable only over a short life span. Still, from the use of SP, some faithful go as far as discouraging followers from taking ARVs, which is a serious danger. It would be considered criminal and perpetua to rs taken responsible. It is, therefore, very important that positive living and spirituality are made a policy or legislation: to wholly become part of the health management system and for the much desired comprehensive health-services delivery and consumer satisfaction - to wards fostering assurances for long and “normal” life.
Future researchers in the field of HIV/AIDS would find the research area interesting if they encountered it with patience and endurance during respondent-centered interaction. It would, therefore, be most appropriate for post-graduates with research only courses as their academic requirement, as this would fully milk-out HIV/AIDS research needs successfully. It is a task which would require commitment and time -through a period negotiating with heads of HIV/AIDS services or institutions, their approval, and data collection itself.
All in all, prevention is better than cure. Abstinence, Being Faithful, and Use of Condoms (ABC Strategy) could be strengthened side by side with the search for HIV/AIDS cure.
Recommendations
There is need to increase efforts to wards the search for an AIDS cure while making ABC not only a preventive strategy against HIV/AIDS, but also, a cultural practice.
There is need for periodical reviews of institutions that deal in HIV/AIDS issues, their operation and consumer satisfaction.
The aspects of: SP, RE and PL need to be closely applied as well as ensure and moni to r their effective utilization among ALWAs.
There is need to promote self-help groups and avail them with funding and technical infrastructure to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty - to be able to sustain the benefits of SP, RE and PL.
There is need to promote education, sports and games, handcraft-making and other co-curricular activities -for ALWAs’ economic and therapeutic benefits.
There is need to encourage disclosure, as part of PL and way to fight stigma as well as make it (encouraging disclosure) a government policy for all HIV/AIDS service providers.
As a matter of government policy, is the need to encourage easy means for HIV/AIDS researchers to access PLWAs -since research information soon becomes part of the knowledge-base vital in the management of HIV/AIDS.
DISCUSSING RESULTS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction:
The sample constituted age ranges of young people between 16-24. The majority 55.3% were between 23-24 years. Prevalence was high in females than males -represented by 77.7% compared to the 22.3% respectively.
Discussion
There were significant relationships between the variables; (Positive Living and Resilience), (Spirituality and Positive Living), and (Spirituality and Resilience). This meant that if the three variables were best utilized by ALWAs -as part of their lifestyle, they would be of high benefit to them in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. They could as well be vital for; effective health-care services delivery and mutual satisfaction between ALWAs and their care-givers. Practitioners, however, would need to practice mastery and responsibility to achieve overall success (Rutter, 1985).
For ALWAs, nurturing optimism would be the norm -since it was associated with strong immune system and long life (Weil, 2007). Consequently, positive attitudes about life (hope) would be formed in the lives of ALWAs, and help to boost health, happiness and satisfaction (Scott, 2007). Having achieved that, the possibility of ALWA living a natural lifespan or reach highest peaks achievable in life, could be held strongly. However, this requires having hope and courage (positivelivingonline.com, February 23rd, 2007).
Longer or not: the questions fall to the entire humanity to answer; regardless of whether sections of the populations have HIV/AIDS or not. The question of death could be answered by stating that; everyone must die and we all have to enjoy the present with anticipation of the best life could give as a governing principle for all. But, for PL and RE, the kind of death would be a decent and dignified one. However, successful life and decent death would result only if life was lived principally (Covey, 1989). Such principles as: fairness, integrity, nurturance etc were suggested. However, doing so would require of ALWAs to accept their situation and looking beyond it. That is; the pains and suffering (Zohar and Marshall , 2000:pg15).
In addition, death is natural, whose timing is only helped by healthy actions that would postpone it to many years ahead. For example; trusting personal abilities, accepting the situation and having trust in God (Scott, 2007). Like any other life challenge, one could fight it and eventually win or lose depending on their traits (positivelivingonline.com, December 1st, 2006). Struggling to survive is everyone’s obligation -involving relentless “fight” in anticipation of the best in life. This would not exclude ALWAs (project resilience, 1999). This would be achieved through; being respectful of others, not dwelling on problems and focusing on life positives (project resilience, 1999).
Health care managers could consider fostering RE, PL and SP through approaches like; personality, family, social, economic or educational, environmental or ecological and spiritual ones; for answers to shape survival needs of ALWAs - to wards blissful lives. Forming institutional structures to direct ALWAs’ health-living could be developed based on the noted approaches. This would significantly influence well-being (PL and RE) - (Henderson and Milstein, 1996, p.2.), while their (ALWAs) nurturance would be very vital to its achievement (well-being) - (Zimmerman, May 1994, p. 4).
Institutional structural design ought to be inclined to allow resources and support extraction for ALWAs in particular and HIV/AIDS issues in general (Grotberg, 1995). An ecological frame-work, to o, would provide a basis for the quality of life desired since decisions are made in line with ecological resources (Mwaka, 1991). Already, Garbarino (1993) stressed that the primary importance of a family was to help children become resilient or at least be able to deal with adversity. If the health management system was to be made relevant, the studied variables would have to be brought in to ‘play’ -through nurturing the above mentioned approaches and ensuring their sustainability for the benefit of ALWAs.
Unfortunately, Resilience has been marked right only in areas adolescent and/or child education (Frey, 1987) and conflict -as noted among the works of KSSP in northern Uganda (Glen, Obonyo and Annan, 2001). But, even the much emphasized PL aspects are not adequately utilized -because numbers of HIV+ people visiting health centers every clinical day are so overwhelming (Atuhaire: May 23rd, 2007 pg 14). The ratio of healthy workers to clients (in Kampala Health Centers) -seen every clinical day was to o small to cover the high number of all clients received.
About 10:200, of which 3/10 were doc to rs, 6/10 as peer trainers and 1 counselor. However, the number of clients, who arrived for treatment varied from one health center or AIDS clinic to another. In addition, the same personnel were rotated around other to wn health centers, twice a week for each center. They (clients) come as early as 7am and leave at 4pm. And, between the stated times, they were waiting to access doc to rs, counselors and ARVs -without lunch or breakfast being given to them. Yet, many of them (clients) came from upcountry to receive improved services in to wns (Waiswa, 2007).
In addition, when client’s health improves, they would tend to lose conscience that they have HIV/AIDS that requires seeking treatment as a permanent exercise. Subsequently, they get tempted to abandon treatment, (Nyanzi: Oc to ber 17th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4) –an act that undermines PL and RE. Those found to be concordant, would be held in disbelief that both must share a specific HIV status rather than just one of them. As a consequence, the HIV+ person as would the HIV negative one might tend to ignore the need for protection against infection and/or re-infection. And, would tend to find condom use unrealistic as married partners, thereby; making the HIV negative partner, be at full risk of contracting the virus.
There were also cases where a partner, who discovers his or her status as HIV+, fails to inform the untested partner whilst ensuring normal intimacy –accompanied with sex. The reason given was fear of losing a loving partner through rejection and separation, while under extreme cases, discovery of HIV status as HIV+ by one partner, could lead to violence or even murder (Egadu: Oc to ber 16th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4). Before climaxing in to death or fights, a wave of counter-accusations about responsibility for spreading the virus would be the main feature in the relationship. However, TASO partnered with its clients to prevent HIV/AIDS spread through having them know their roles and responsibilities –including the one of not being sexually reckless (Kakooza: Media Plus, 2007).
Worthy noting also, could be the homosexuals concerns. They are key members of the community in need of concern when dealing with issues regarding ALWAs in particular and HIV/AIDS in general. Throughout data collection, there were no confirmed related-groups found and interviewed to give whole-some conclusions about PL, SP and RE. US’ Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to report high levels of infection among homosexuals and the bi-sexual. In fact, there are an estimated 40,000 new HIV infections yearly with 70% of these being among men. Of those men who are infected 60% cases were through homosexual sex (Traditional Values Coalition: Special Report, May 2007). In Uganda , homosexual cases have taken root but, the National HIV/AIDS Frame-work does not cater for them. Vic to r Mukasa, a homosexual advocate, ridiculed Uganda ’s success in HIV/AIDS fight because the national HIV/AIDS programme excludes them, Mukasa (2006-05-18).
Like the saying “everyone for himself and God for us all”, families and communities, people get divided when required to support and care for HIV/AIDS people. This is so, because of stigma. This would put the lives of ALWAs at stake. Families and communities could not therefore, be relied upon for care and support. No wonder, over years, numerous NGOs have sprung up to fill the gap like; TASO, AIC, Mild-may etc. Yet, family care and community support are very vital in boosting RE and PL (Kimberly, 1998). At institutional level, those chattered to oversee care for HIV persons, highly promote stigma under the pretext of confidentiality and protection from harm. They are very sensitive non-client visi to rs. Besides, they use PLWA as a vehicle for employment and soliciting donor money rather than focusing on their well-being (Bogere, Oc to ber 2007). Unlike those managed by peers (those with HIV caring for others with same HIV status), who tend to be genuine, the HIV negative care-givers tend to easily lose empathy during care.
Notable cases are about those who error (due to sensory misgivings) at responding to roll-calls during clinical days. They would be given new appointments without treatment till the next clinical day (one to three month [s] later). Having noted that; there ought to be a review of organizations and their functional processes aimed at creating enabling environment to nurture not only RE but also PL, (Zimmerman, May 1994 pg 4). Risky jobs and harsh environments could lead to risky behaviors, from which ALWAs contract HIV/AIDS. In Nebbi District, HIV was highest in prisoners and soldiers –with infection increase of 7% (Okello: December 4th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 13).
Economic challenges, to o, could tend to dictate quality of SP, PL and RE. Most important to note is that sex continues to be the cheapest exchange-for money modes to survive economic hardships. In Kayunga, 52% of the women engage in pre-marital sex as a way to get money and necessities of life. And, of late, employers reportedly abused their offices by offering jobs in exchange for sex –a practice which exploits mainly females, (Muzaale: Wednesday, Oc to ber 7th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 15). These violate values of PL, SP and RE. It is the working ALWAs that are more favored to live healthy lives than unemployed ones. This is so, because they can afford a balanced diet everyday as well as other life essentials necessary for health-living.
Malawi ’s NAPHAM covers the unemployment gap in its programmes. For example, they have a poultry farm that provides alternative nutrition as well as employment to its members (Guardian Unlimited, 2007). Like NAPHAM members, employed ALWAs in Uganda would have the motivation to explore relationship with the Divine as well as attempt to please him by works (like, making an offer to ry in Church or Zakat practiced by Moslems).
But again, having to work hard everyday for a living; leaves no room for adequate resting. 7-8 hours of sleep-time, is there fore, a luxury. Work pressure would easily wear them up (deteriorate through; stress, fatigue and body-immunity suppression) - (Licenblat, 2007). As if to reinforce the point, (Genesis, 2:1-3) shows that; God rested after his creation work. And; who would be ALWAs not to rest? They thus, ought to create time to rest, relax, and meditate upon goodness in life. Yet, adequate sleeping and resting would be vital ingredient of PL, SP and RE strengthening.
Still to note, ALWAs either misuse SP or not at all utilize it. For example; some churches encouraged their members not to take ARVs –saying prayer alone heals, while others -who are successfully living-positively, do not apply fully the Divine requirements. TASO’s advisory committee chairman, Rev. Willy Olango, expressed concern about some churches discouraging HIV/AIDS patients from taking drugs (Ocowun: September 16th, 2007, The New Vision; as extracted from: healthnet.org).
No wonder; according to Dr. Fred Kigozi (head of Butabika Hospital ), people with mental health-related problems, who visited religious and traditional healers, hardly got cured. But, also, ALWAs would be co-crea to rs with God by both consulting him and taking drugs (Philippians, 4:8-9). Therefore, underutilizing drug treatment by ALWAs would potentially undermine SP, PL and RE.
Conclusion
A lot has been said and done about PL with a few inadequacies that could be corrected to achieve its desired goal, while a lot more needs to be done by researchers on the question of RE in line with its influences on good health and longer life for ALWAs –with it, as an independent variable. It is a study that would be very necessary at such a time when various remedy technologies are being craved for to manage and control HIV/AIDS.
Whereas SP being everybody’s area of retreat, preoccupation, occupation or concern, its consumers have tended to use it independent of positive living, though satisfying its relationship with RE. As a result, it has rendered individual life-struggle efforts limited and making life end predictable only over a short life span. Still, from the use of SP, some faithful go as far as discouraging followers from taking ARVs, which is a serious danger. It would be considered criminal and perpetua to rs taken responsible. It is, therefore, very important that positive living and spirituality are made a policy or legislation: to wholly become part of the health management system and for the much desired comprehensive health-services delivery and consumer satisfaction - to wards fostering assurances for long and “normal” life.
Future researchers in the field of HIV/AIDS would find the research area interesting if they encountered it with patience and endurance during respondent-centered interaction. It would, therefore, be most appropriate for post-graduates with research only courses as their academic requirement, as this would fully milk-out HIV/AIDS research needs successfully. It is a task which would require commitment and time -through a period negotiating with heads of HIV/AIDS services or institutions, their approval, and data collection itself.
All in all, prevention is better than cure. Abstinence, Being Faithful, and Use of Condoms (ABC Strategy) could be strengthened side by side with the search for HIV/AIDS cure.
Recommendations
There is need to increase efforts to wards the search for an AIDS cure while making ABC not only a preventive strategy against HIV/AIDS, but also, a cultural practice.
There is need for periodical reviews of institutions that deal in HIV/AIDS issues, their operation and consumer satisfaction.
The aspects of: SP, RE and PL need to be closely applied as well as ensure and moni to r their effective utilization among ALWAs.
There is need to promote self-help groups and avail them with funding and technical infrastructure to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty - to be able to sustain the benefits of SP, RE and PL.
There is need to promote education, sports and games, handcraft-making and other co-curricular activities -for ALWAs’ economic and therapeutic benefits.
There is need to encourage disclosure, as part of PL and way to fight stigma as well as make it (encouraging disclosure) a government policy for all HIV/AIDS service providers.
As a matter of government policy, is the need to encourage easy means for HIV/AIDS researchers to access PLWAs -since research information soon becomes part of the knowledge-base vital in the management of HIV/AIDS.
FACTS ABOUT HIV/AIDS
BY WAISWA JACOB, waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk
Introduction
This chapter basically, gives relevant literature about HIV/AIDS and existing relationships between variables of; Positive Living and Resilience, Spirituality and Positive Living, as well as Spirituality and Resilience among Adolescents Living With HIV/AIDS (ALWAs).
HIV/AIDS
Recent studies revealed that HIV/AIDS originated from Haiti . It invaded US from Haiti in 1969, most likely, by a single infected migrant who set a stage for it to sweep the world (Reuters, Washing to n: Wednesday, Oc to ber 31st, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 7). It has affected mainly the developing world thereby, affecting persons regardless of their sex, race and age. China has about 650,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, (Reuters, Beijing ; 8th November, 2007). In Uganda , initial cases were first recognized twenty-five years ago. It was, as of 2005, estimated that over 1million were infected with HIV/AIDS that has devastating consequences to families and communities (World Bank, 2005: pg 26). Recent estimates show about 1.1 million people living with the virus (Kaiser daily report, Oc to ber 10th, 2007, Kaisernetwork.org). UNAIDS and WHO report (January, 2006) showed AIDS, as having killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on December 1st, 1981 -making it one of the most destructive pandemics recorded in his to ry. Twenty-five years after its introduction in Uganda , many children have been left orphans amidst looming poverty and un-productiveness. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4–3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children. 90% of the transmissions are reportedly through hetero-sexual (Namirembe, 2007).
In respect of HIV/AIDS national sero-survey ( Uganda ), the prevalence increased from 6.1% five years ago to 7.1%. This would, there fore, call for scaling up of interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence especially among the vulnerable groups ( Republic of Uganda Budget Speech Financial year, 2006-2007).
It is widely believed that Uganda has been one of the most successful Countries in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. This was been attributed due to strong political leadership and successful multi-sec to r strategy focused on prevention (World Bank, 2005 pg 26). But, Jinja singly, registered an increase to 20 percent from the previous year’s 18 percent -attributed to declining moral standards among the married women. They (Jinja people) perceived HIV like any other disease as a way of copying with fear (Thursday, May 31st, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 6).
According to Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) report (2007), 130,000 got AIDS in 2005, which was an increase from 70,000 in 2003 (Lirri: December 3rd, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4). UAC, further reported an increase in the number of people contracting the HIV virus from 132,000 in 2005 to 135,000 last year (2006). The points of concern, according to UAC report (December 2007), are adults above 30 years, the married people and the fishing communities (Nafula: December, 2007, Sunday Moni to r pg 4). Static prevalence was threatening Uganda ’s AIDS success s to ry (Lirri: December 1st, 2007).
As an outcome of the Abuja summit in Nigeria (2001), aimed at addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS and TB, members saw the need to increase their national budgets by 15% in bid to boost under-funded and corrupt-stricken health sec to r. They agreed to prioritize national resources to fight HIV/AIDS. Oketcho parliamentary report (2007/2008) indicated the budget for health sec to r in Uganda as having been increased from 381B in 2006/2007 financial year to 386B in 2007/2008, (Lirri: May 1st, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 26).
About 0.6% of the world’s living populations are infected with HIV. A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, and consequently; retarding economic growth and increasing poverty. UNICEF, UNAIDS and WHO joint report, showed infection-rates highest in Botswana and Swaziland -where a one in three young woman were infected and; Lesotho and South Africa –where it was one in four.
Current statistical predictions indicate that HIV is set to infect 90 million people in Africa, which would result in to a minimum estimate of 18 million orphans. About 13 million of the 16 million people, who have died of HIV/AIDS, are in Africa . And, 33.6 million people have HIV/AIDS (around the World), 70% of whom live in Africa (Brough, 2000). Sadly, In Africa, nearly 20 million people with HIV are not aware that they have the virus. As a result, the UN health officials called on nations with severe AIDS epidemic to offer routine HIV tests to all patients at public health facilities. 80 percent of the people with HIV in poor and developing countries were ignorant of their HIV status. However; Malawi, Botswana, Kenya and Uganda adopted such a policy as carrying out routine HIV tests in instances -where infection rates exceed 1 percent. Everyone seeking medical care would be offered HIV test regardless of their symp to ms or reasons of seeking care (Agencies, Johannesburg : Friday, June 1st, 2007, Daily Moni to r).
In Malawi , one million people are reportedly living with HIV/AIDS. Urban areas have up to 25% of the populations infected and many more are affected directly or indirectly. HIV/AIDS has been devastating not only to individuals, but also, to their families and communities in which they live. Malawi , as one of the very poorest in the world, has; HIV/AIDS, poverty, malnutrition, and gender inequity cases that have conspired to completely undermine socio-economic development in its new and fragile democracy. Yet, anti-retroviral treatment, which reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, cannot be routinely accessed, and is still not available to all countries (Guardian Unlimited, 2007).
HIV/AIDS and Adolescents
United Nations reported more than 3 billion young represent nearly a half of the Earth’s people. As of March, 2007, Uganda had the youngest population in the World: reported, (Nyanzi, Daily Moni to r reporter, March 15th, 2007). Unfortunately, they were the most vulnerable. Adolescence, being a time for expanding relationships and friendships outside the family circle, establishing greater au to nomy, and for intensified development of interpersonal and social skills could be met with HIV/AIDS to cause distress to them, their families as and communities. How young people develop their understanding of the biological, emotional and social changes they experience in adolescence was closely related to their sense of social identity and purpose, self-perception and self-esteem, thoughts and feelings, and capacity to establish caring relationships and intimacy with others. It would thus, be most important that young people received the necessary guidance and support they need -considering that worldwide, most people become sexually active during this stage of life -whether within or outside of marriage. They, to o, could under go physical, emotional and psychological changes associated with growing up. Actually, men hardly believed grown-up ALWAs whenever they (ALWAs) disclosed their HIV+ status. Men thought ALWAs were trying to get rid of them (Onyalla and Nabusoba: November 10th, 2007, Saturday Vision pg 11). Here, justifying sexual advances on the basis of virginity would cease to help control HIV/AIDS spread.
Use and meanings of the terms ‘young people’, ‘youth’, and ‘adolescents’ vary in different societies around the world, depending on political, economic and socio-cultural context. The following are considered by UNFPA: 1) Adolescents, as 10-19 year olds -with early adolescence at 10-14 and late adolescence at 15-19. 2) Youth, as 15-24 year olds and 3) Young People, as 10-24 year olds. The 1991 Population census showed one-quarter of Uganda’s to tal population as being between the ages of 10 and 19 years while the average age of Ugandans’ 28 million people is just 15.3 years, indicating the largest proportion of children being less than 14 years in the World (a report by the UN population division, 2007). The 2006 revision of the official UN population estimates and projections report titled “World Population Prospects” showed Global average age for the World’s 6.7 billion population as 28 years (released in New York on March 13th, 2007) -with half of those newly infected with HIV each year as under the age of 25 years, globally (Kakaire: Thursday, November 15th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 25)
Africa stood out as the only region whose population was still relatively young, and where the number of the elderly population, although increasing would be far below the number of children by 2050. A number of priority areas for joint actions were identified through a coordinated action plan for global STI prevention and control strategy, which involved; seeking support to increase skilled health attendants in target countries as well as developing plans to increase reproductive health, maternal health, new-born baby’s health and adolescent health (Population Headliners, N0. 312, May-June, 2006). One of the One of UNICEF goals is to protect and support Children affected by HIV/AIDS and it was projected that by 2010, it would reach 80% of children most in need. Already, it is estimated that HIV prevalence among girls aged between 12 and 17 is 5%: a notch lower than the national prevalence (in Uganda ) of 7% (Onyalla and Nabusoba: November 10th, 2007, Saturday Vision pg 11).
It was interesting to note, however, that children infected with HIV at birth would survive in to adolescence, overturning previous assumptions that virtually all die before the age of five (Well-come Trust: March, 2007). Researchers, who set out to study the older children arriving at a clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe demonstrated reflected numbers as being significant. Half a million babies were estimated to be infected with HIV at birth or during breastfeeding last year alone (2006) and, as many as one in four would survive in to adolescence (The Guardian: March 12th, 2007).
As for the Ministry of Health in Uganda , estimates of children living with HIV/AIDS indicated 110,000. Out of them, about 50,000 children need accessed anti-retro-viral therapy. But, only 10,000 received it. Globally, Mother-To-Child-Transmission was responsible for 90% of HIV/AIDS among children under 15 years, and every year one million babies were born to HIV+ mothers, of which at least 25,000 get infected with the virus (Lirri: Saturday, November 10th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4). In Uganda, Mother-To-Child mode of transmission was and as of now, the second most common mode of transmission of the virus –accounting for 21% of the new HIV/AIDS cases in the country.
Everyday 1,600 children die of HIV. According to the UNAIDS, over 2 millions children (defined by UNAIDS as those between 0-14 years old), are living with HIV across the World, and 1.9 million of these children lived in the Sub—Saharan Africa. In the World over, 40 million people were reported having HIV and, as the fastest growing infection in the UK and Ireland . It was estimated that 7.3% of reported AIDS cases are children less than 12 years (ACP Surveillance report March, 1999). In 1998, UNAIDS estimated 930,000 Ugandans as living with HIV/AIDS. For adults, the infection rate was estimated to be 9.5%. And, everyday, there are nearly 1,800 new infections in children under 15 mostly due to mother- to -child transmission. 1,500 children under 15 died of AIDS-related illness.
More than 6,000 young people between the ages of 15-24 years are newly infected with HIV. Unfortunately, less than one third of young women between the ages of 15-24 in sub-Saharan Africa fully unders to od how to avoid HIV. Millions of children, adolescents and young people in the path of the pandemic, are at risk and in dire need of protection. HIV/AIDS continues to redefine the very meaning of childhood for millions of children, depriving them of; care, love and affection of their parents, teachers, and other role-models -in the areas of education and options for the future, of protection against exploitation and abuse, (UNICEF report publication, 2005). It was, further estimated that 2.3 million under the age of 15 were infected with HIV and experienced; poverty, homelessness, school dropping-outs, discrimination, loss of life opportunities, and early death.
Introduction
This chapter basically, gives relevant literature about HIV/AIDS and existing relationships between variables of; Positive Living and Resilience, Spirituality and Positive Living, as well as Spirituality and Resilience among Adolescents Living With HIV/AIDS (ALWAs).
HIV/AIDS
Recent studies revealed that HIV/AIDS originated from Haiti . It invaded US from Haiti in 1969, most likely, by a single infected migrant who set a stage for it to sweep the world (Reuters, Washing to n: Wednesday, Oc to ber 31st, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 7). It has affected mainly the developing world thereby, affecting persons regardless of their sex, race and age. China has about 650,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, (Reuters, Beijing ; 8th November, 2007). In Uganda , initial cases were first recognized twenty-five years ago. It was, as of 2005, estimated that over 1million were infected with HIV/AIDS that has devastating consequences to families and communities (World Bank, 2005: pg 26). Recent estimates show about 1.1 million people living with the virus (Kaiser daily report, Oc to ber 10th, 2007, Kaisernetwork.org). UNAIDS and WHO report (January, 2006) showed AIDS, as having killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on December 1st, 1981 -making it one of the most destructive pandemics recorded in his to ry. Twenty-five years after its introduction in Uganda , many children have been left orphans amidst looming poverty and un-productiveness. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4–3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children. 90% of the transmissions are reportedly through hetero-sexual (Namirembe, 2007).
In respect of HIV/AIDS national sero-survey ( Uganda ), the prevalence increased from 6.1% five years ago to 7.1%. This would, there fore, call for scaling up of interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence especially among the vulnerable groups ( Republic of Uganda Budget Speech Financial year, 2006-2007).
It is widely believed that Uganda has been one of the most successful Countries in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. This was been attributed due to strong political leadership and successful multi-sec to r strategy focused on prevention (World Bank, 2005 pg 26). But, Jinja singly, registered an increase to 20 percent from the previous year’s 18 percent -attributed to declining moral standards among the married women. They (Jinja people) perceived HIV like any other disease as a way of copying with fear (Thursday, May 31st, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 6).
According to Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) report (2007), 130,000 got AIDS in 2005, which was an increase from 70,000 in 2003 (Lirri: December 3rd, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4). UAC, further reported an increase in the number of people contracting the HIV virus from 132,000 in 2005 to 135,000 last year (2006). The points of concern, according to UAC report (December 2007), are adults above 30 years, the married people and the fishing communities (Nafula: December, 2007, Sunday Moni to r pg 4). Static prevalence was threatening Uganda ’s AIDS success s to ry (Lirri: December 1st, 2007).
As an outcome of the Abuja summit in Nigeria (2001), aimed at addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS and TB, members saw the need to increase their national budgets by 15% in bid to boost under-funded and corrupt-stricken health sec to r. They agreed to prioritize national resources to fight HIV/AIDS. Oketcho parliamentary report (2007/2008) indicated the budget for health sec to r in Uganda as having been increased from 381B in 2006/2007 financial year to 386B in 2007/2008, (Lirri: May 1st, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 26).
About 0.6% of the world’s living populations are infected with HIV. A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, and consequently; retarding economic growth and increasing poverty. UNICEF, UNAIDS and WHO joint report, showed infection-rates highest in Botswana and Swaziland -where a one in three young woman were infected and; Lesotho and South Africa –where it was one in four.
Current statistical predictions indicate that HIV is set to infect 90 million people in Africa, which would result in to a minimum estimate of 18 million orphans. About 13 million of the 16 million people, who have died of HIV/AIDS, are in Africa . And, 33.6 million people have HIV/AIDS (around the World), 70% of whom live in Africa (Brough, 2000). Sadly, In Africa, nearly 20 million people with HIV are not aware that they have the virus. As a result, the UN health officials called on nations with severe AIDS epidemic to offer routine HIV tests to all patients at public health facilities. 80 percent of the people with HIV in poor and developing countries were ignorant of their HIV status. However; Malawi, Botswana, Kenya and Uganda adopted such a policy as carrying out routine HIV tests in instances -where infection rates exceed 1 percent. Everyone seeking medical care would be offered HIV test regardless of their symp to ms or reasons of seeking care (Agencies, Johannesburg : Friday, June 1st, 2007, Daily Moni to r).
In Malawi , one million people are reportedly living with HIV/AIDS. Urban areas have up to 25% of the populations infected and many more are affected directly or indirectly. HIV/AIDS has been devastating not only to individuals, but also, to their families and communities in which they live. Malawi , as one of the very poorest in the world, has; HIV/AIDS, poverty, malnutrition, and gender inequity cases that have conspired to completely undermine socio-economic development in its new and fragile democracy. Yet, anti-retroviral treatment, which reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, cannot be routinely accessed, and is still not available to all countries (Guardian Unlimited, 2007).
HIV/AIDS and Adolescents
United Nations reported more than 3 billion young represent nearly a half of the Earth’s people. As of March, 2007, Uganda had the youngest population in the World: reported, (Nyanzi, Daily Moni to r reporter, March 15th, 2007). Unfortunately, they were the most vulnerable. Adolescence, being a time for expanding relationships and friendships outside the family circle, establishing greater au to nomy, and for intensified development of interpersonal and social skills could be met with HIV/AIDS to cause distress to them, their families as and communities. How young people develop their understanding of the biological, emotional and social changes they experience in adolescence was closely related to their sense of social identity and purpose, self-perception and self-esteem, thoughts and feelings, and capacity to establish caring relationships and intimacy with others. It would thus, be most important that young people received the necessary guidance and support they need -considering that worldwide, most people become sexually active during this stage of life -whether within or outside of marriage. They, to o, could under go physical, emotional and psychological changes associated with growing up. Actually, men hardly believed grown-up ALWAs whenever they (ALWAs) disclosed their HIV+ status. Men thought ALWAs were trying to get rid of them (Onyalla and Nabusoba: November 10th, 2007, Saturday Vision pg 11). Here, justifying sexual advances on the basis of virginity would cease to help control HIV/AIDS spread.
Use and meanings of the terms ‘young people’, ‘youth’, and ‘adolescents’ vary in different societies around the world, depending on political, economic and socio-cultural context. The following are considered by UNFPA: 1) Adolescents, as 10-19 year olds -with early adolescence at 10-14 and late adolescence at 15-19. 2) Youth, as 15-24 year olds and 3) Young People, as 10-24 year olds. The 1991 Population census showed one-quarter of Uganda’s to tal population as being between the ages of 10 and 19 years while the average age of Ugandans’ 28 million people is just 15.3 years, indicating the largest proportion of children being less than 14 years in the World (a report by the UN population division, 2007). The 2006 revision of the official UN population estimates and projections report titled “World Population Prospects” showed Global average age for the World’s 6.7 billion population as 28 years (released in New York on March 13th, 2007) -with half of those newly infected with HIV each year as under the age of 25 years, globally (Kakaire: Thursday, November 15th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 25)
Africa stood out as the only region whose population was still relatively young, and where the number of the elderly population, although increasing would be far below the number of children by 2050. A number of priority areas for joint actions were identified through a coordinated action plan for global STI prevention and control strategy, which involved; seeking support to increase skilled health attendants in target countries as well as developing plans to increase reproductive health, maternal health, new-born baby’s health and adolescent health (Population Headliners, N0. 312, May-June, 2006). One of the One of UNICEF goals is to protect and support Children affected by HIV/AIDS and it was projected that by 2010, it would reach 80% of children most in need. Already, it is estimated that HIV prevalence among girls aged between 12 and 17 is 5%: a notch lower than the national prevalence (in Uganda ) of 7% (Onyalla and Nabusoba: November 10th, 2007, Saturday Vision pg 11).
It was interesting to note, however, that children infected with HIV at birth would survive in to adolescence, overturning previous assumptions that virtually all die before the age of five (Well-come Trust: March, 2007). Researchers, who set out to study the older children arriving at a clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe demonstrated reflected numbers as being significant. Half a million babies were estimated to be infected with HIV at birth or during breastfeeding last year alone (2006) and, as many as one in four would survive in to adolescence (The Guardian: March 12th, 2007).
As for the Ministry of Health in Uganda , estimates of children living with HIV/AIDS indicated 110,000. Out of them, about 50,000 children need accessed anti-retro-viral therapy. But, only 10,000 received it. Globally, Mother-To-Child-Transmission was responsible for 90% of HIV/AIDS among children under 15 years, and every year one million babies were born to HIV+ mothers, of which at least 25,000 get infected with the virus (Lirri: Saturday, November 10th, 2007, Daily Moni to r pg 4). In Uganda, Mother-To-Child mode of transmission was and as of now, the second most common mode of transmission of the virus –accounting for 21% of the new HIV/AIDS cases in the country.
Everyday 1,600 children die of HIV. According to the UNAIDS, over 2 millions children (defined by UNAIDS as those between 0-14 years old), are living with HIV across the World, and 1.9 million of these children lived in the Sub—Saharan Africa. In the World over, 40 million people were reported having HIV and, as the fastest growing infection in the UK and Ireland . It was estimated that 7.3% of reported AIDS cases are children less than 12 years (ACP Surveillance report March, 1999). In 1998, UNAIDS estimated 930,000 Ugandans as living with HIV/AIDS. For adults, the infection rate was estimated to be 9.5%. And, everyday, there are nearly 1,800 new infections in children under 15 mostly due to mother- to -child transmission. 1,500 children under 15 died of AIDS-related illness.
More than 6,000 young people between the ages of 15-24 years are newly infected with HIV. Unfortunately, less than one third of young women between the ages of 15-24 in sub-Saharan Africa fully unders to od how to avoid HIV. Millions of children, adolescents and young people in the path of the pandemic, are at risk and in dire need of protection. HIV/AIDS continues to redefine the very meaning of childhood for millions of children, depriving them of; care, love and affection of their parents, teachers, and other role-models -in the areas of education and options for the future, of protection against exploitation and abuse, (UNICEF report publication, 2005). It was, further estimated that 2.3 million under the age of 15 were infected with HIV and experienced; poverty, homelessness, school dropping-outs, discrimination, loss of life opportunities, and early death.
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