70 likes | 223 Views
LESSONS FOR HIV PREVENTION IN AFRICA. Historical perspectives HIV/AIDS first documented in Africa (Uganda) in 1982 From 1980s to early 1990s, Uganda had the highest incidence and prevalence From mid 1990s the epicentre had shifted to Southern Africa
E N D
LESSONS FOR HIV PREVENTION IN AFRICA • Historical perspectives • HIV/AIDS first documented in Africa (Uganda) in 1982 • From 1980s to early 1990s, Uganda had the highest incidence and prevalence • From mid 1990s the epicentre had shifted to Southern Africa • Effective ARVS became available in 1996, but millions died in Africa without access until 2004 (PEPFAR and GF)
HIV prevention in Africa • Early successes: • Senegal: • HIV rates were by 1990s rising, towards 3% mainly in urban area • Strong preventive intervention brought down the prevalence to below 1% • Uganda; • By early 1990s Uganda had the highest HIV prevalence in the world (12% up to 30% in sentinel sites) • Preventive intervention based on public information, education and communication (IEC), plus focused leadership, and a policy of openness reduced the prevalence to 6.2%
LESSONS LEARNED FROM EARLY SUCCESSES-1 • Effective interventions were duplicated in other regions of the continent: • Prevalence declined in Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and others. • Basic preventive measures IEC based on Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condoms (ABC) are not sufficient to control HIV
Treatment is also effective prevention • PMTC has drastically reduced paediatric HIV in developed countries • Discordant couples: Early start of ART reduces transmission to the uninfected partner. • Treatment and prevention needed together. • Other preventive intervention e.g male circumcision, treatment of STIs, augment prevention
The future of HIV prevention in Africa • HIV remains a threat to a large African population of young adults growing up in the era of HIV/AIDS: • HIV prevention should be part of African governments strategy of investing in youths’ education for a future healthy work force. • Youth focused interventions included in schools’ curriculum, • Participation of youths in HIV prevention,
The cost of HIV/AIDS • Lives lost at their prime • What did Africa lose in terms of economic lost opportunities? • What will Africa lose in estimated economic potential at the present rate of deaths?
Crucial interventions Africa must adopt • Increase resources for health sector with emphasis on AIDS and malaria prevention and treatment • Negotiate longer term aid with a smooth phase out linked to nations capacity building • Fair and humanitarian drugs patents laws and TRIPS agreement that do not result in denial of access to medicine or restrict economic development.