The Fight Agianst HIV/AIDS

There was a study released in the Lancet warning that both condoms and ARVs were needed to treat AIDS. If those who are HIV-positive and on ARVs become complacent and stop using condoms, HIV infections could increase by 10 million, the stdy warned. Go here for more: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSSP10037520080725

That seems like an easy proposal-except if you are trying to fight AIDS in Africa. What has been reinforced during my time in Malawi is the need for education. There are billboards everywhere that say "Hygiene is important. Drive carefully." Butter and cooking oil labels boast of being fortified with Vitamin A which is good for a child's health. These seemed comical to me until it dawned on me that these messages don't appear to be common sense to those without education. Compunding the lack of education is stigma and cultural beliefs that make it very difficult to treat AIDS. Many believe witchcraft causes AIDS and so medicine cannot help treat the disease. Others believe AIDS can be cured by having sex with a virigin. Thousands of condoms and drugs won't help when you have a population that does not understand AIDS or is too afraid to even talk about it.

Also, procurring drugs can be difficult. Some ARVs are procured from China. Today it was cautioned that shipments of drugs could be delayed because of the Olympics. They have shut down production to make China appear a more eco-friendly country during the Olympics.

The Lancet also included a study that found that ARVs can add 13 years to a person's life and if someone starts taking the drugs at age 20, they will live an additional 43 years. In Africa, the average life expectancy is less than 43 years.

Government programs like PEPFAR are a great help in fighting the AIDS pandemic but unless education and prevention methods are included in the fight, condoms and ARVs will simply be a band-aid on a gaping wound.