User:Dionnica

In Africa the leading cause of death is HIV/Aids. Mostly in the sub-Saharan Africa the spread of HIV is phenomenal. The HIV pandemic is growing at an alarming rate. The number one transmission of Aids is unsafe sex. Men and women are contracting aids by not using contraceptives to prevent the transmission of the disease. In result of the non use of contraceptives mothers that are contracting the disease that become pregnant then pass it on to their babies. In Uganda there is a decrease of mother to child transmission of the disease due to young mothers learning about and practicing safe sex. In other parts of Africa the education of how to prevent the disease from spreading is not as prevalent, therefore the number of infected mothers are increasing. There are organizations that have been put in place to take action on helping children that have contracted the disease. Medication is being provided to help prevent the transmission of the disease. With medication being easily provided to families there is hope that the mortality rate decrease amongst infected children. Mothers that are treated for the disease also reduce the chances of their babies dying from the disease.

Dirty needles also play a minor part in the transmission of Aids. Some argue that the transmission of the disease through careless injections infects about 18 percent of patients. Others say that dirty needles infect about 40 percent. Rinsing equipment in water reduces the chances of the disease being spread. In result of the debate some patients may be scared away from taking advantage of the vaccination campaigns. The debate on how many are infected due to the poor sterilization of equipment is important because it determines on how the funds are allocated.

There are many organizations that are trying to stop the spread of this deathly disease. My question is what is the government doing to help? Doesn’t the government have monies to provide vaccination to all people that are infected? Why isn’t the population being educated on how to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids? Africans are dying off in huge numbers and children are left to live in orphanages. There has to be something else that can be done.

References:

Randerson, James (2004). Unsafe injections not a major cause of HIV in Africa. HIV in Africa. retrieved December 3, 2006, from Ohio Link database

Dabis, Francois (2003). Children and HIV in Africa: what is next. retrieved December 3, 2006, from Ohio Link database