10th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Boston, MA USA - February 10 -14, 2003

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 2003 Feb 10-14;10th: abstract no. 47
Mbori-Ngacha D; Univ Nairobi and Global AIDS Program, CDC, Kenya

BACKGROUND:The HIV/AIDS epidemic has reached previously unimagined levels. The worst affected region being Sub-Saharan Africa home to 80% of all HIV infected people in the world. As the epidemic has matured the vulnerability of women has come to the fore. Current statistics from UNAIDS indicate that women constitute 58% of all people living with HIV on the continent of Africa. Women are more vulnerable to HIV acquisition for a variety of social, cultural, economic and biologic reasons. The epidemic in women translates directly into a parallel epidemic in children the majority who acquire their infection from their mothers during pregnancy, delivery or through breastfeeding. The HIV epidemic in children has reversed the tremendous gains in child survival of the 1980s. Many countries in Africa are currently experiencing a 15-30% increase infant and child mortality rates largely attributable to AIDS deaths.

METHODS: The past decade of the epidemic has seen major developments in defining strategies for prevention and care of HIV. Medical interventions such as the use of life prolonging highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART) and prophylactic antimicrobial agents have changed the face of HIV/AIDS. As a result HIV is now considered a chronic disease that can be managed medically. In addition the use of antiretroviral HIV drugs, the use of caesarean births by pregnant HIV infected women and avoidance of breastfeeding has made HIV infection in children a largely preventable condition.

RESULTS: Unfortunately these advances still remain out of the reach of people living with HIV in Africa. The vast majority of HIV infected individuals are unaware of their HIV status and therefore cannot access care and support. In addition the limited scope of prevention and care initiatives on the continent mean that programs have limited effectiveness in dealing with the effects of the epidemic.

CONCLUSIONS: This presentation will highlight opportunities and challenges for HIV prevention and care of women and children in Africa.

030210
47

Copyright © 2003 - Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health. Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health. Licensed (AIDSLINE) from National Library of Medicine.