History of the AIDS Virus in Africa
History of the AIDS Virus in Africa
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, more commonly known as AIDS is often referred to as a global killer. In Sub-Saharan Africa AIDS has reached pandemic proportions with 14 million dead already, and 23 million more infected. Africa constitutes 10% of the world’s population, and is now the home to 90% of all new HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS) infections, giving it the highest AIDS frequency in the world. I would like to discuss how unsafe African sex practices have contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS and the steps currently being taken to slow the spread of the epidemic.
AIDS is a major social problem. There is no vaccination for this disease, only a costly “cocktail” of drugs whose side-effects alone are life-altering. Ultimately, these drugs will not prevent premature death, but only postpone it for a decade or so. The problem actually lies much deeper than the epidemiological realities of HIV/AIDS. There are many social standards that not only permit the virus to spread, but actually create optimal conditions for it to multiply at such rapid rates. Large scale social changes need to occur because Africa is on the verge of being ruined by this virus. With much of the most productive age group becoming extremely ill or dying as a result of becoming infected, the economy is beginning to collapse and the family structure is deteriorate. The fabric of Africa’s social structure must be rewoven before deep seeded attitudes and behaviors cause the demise of this society.
One major cause of the HIV/AIDS outbreak is the prevalence of prostitution. Due to the economic crisis that is taking place in Africa, many women succumb to this occupation. Changing social structures, such as the separation of the biological family, have caused the period of family given financial support to be much shorter. Parents are dying at an earlier age, and it’s also likely that husbands die prematurely from AIDS as well. Unfortunately, when these women are left to fend for themselves and their children, they face unemployment and lack of opportunities, so they become prostitutes. This is a fluid occupation, as women try to get out of it as soon as possible, but when the need for money arises, they often slip back into prostitution. ...