To determine differences among persons who provided blood specimens for HIV testing compared with those who did not among those interviewed for the population-based Zimbabwe Young Adult Survey (YAS). When comparing persons who provided specimens for HIV testing with those who did not, few significant differences were found. If those who did not provide specimens had prevalence rates twice that of those who did, overall prevalence would not be substantially affected. Refusal to provide blood specimens does not appear to have contributed to an underestimation of HIV prevalence.
Equity and HIV/AIDS
Response rates for providing a blood specimen for HIV testing in a population-based survey of young adults in Zimbabwe
McNaghten AD, Herold JM, Dube HM, St. Louis ME: BMC Public Health 7:145, 5 July 2007
The Africa Multi-Country AIDS Program 2000–2006: Results of the World Bank's response to a development crisis
The World Bank, 14 June 2007
A new World Bank report on HIV/AIDS launched in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, says the mobilization of empowered 'grassroots' communities, along with delivering condoms and life-saving treatments, are beginning to slow the pace of the continent's epidemic, which last year killed more than 2 million African adults and children, and left another 24.7 million Africans struggling to live with its deadly effects. According to the new report, ultimate success in defeating HIV/AIDS will depend on marshalling effective prevention, care, and treatment, measures to boost 'social immune systems' in African countries—changing their beliefs, perceptions, and social and individual behaviors around the disease so that eventually they can reverse the advance of HIV and stop the damage done by AIDS. The report says these changes are taking place as the epidemic shows signs of slowing in Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, and in urban Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, and Zambia.
Towards a stronger response to HIV and AIDS: Challenging stigma
Nyblade L, Carr D: International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
This DFID paper looks at information and evidence for the global prevalence of HIV stigma and how it damages people living with HIV and AIDS and their families, especially women. It provides information and evidence on: HIV stigma is globally prevalent and damaging—affecting people living or associated with HIV and AIDS on a daily basis—and is especially severe for women; HIV stigma compromises effective responses to AIDS (by lowering uptake of preventive services and testing, delays disclosure, decreases care seeking and undermines treatment; effective strategies for tackling stigma exist, and action is possible; and DFID is well placed to help scale-up efforts and play a leading role in the international arena.
World Bank approves fifteen million dollars to fight cross-border-HIV/AIDS in Africa
Auma B: The World Bank, 6 July 2007
The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most prominently impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, the Horn of Africa is also where there is hope that something can be done to bring about change. Recognising the movement of vulnerable populations is a major challenge in the region, on 28 June 2007 the World Bank and IGAD signed a $15 million grant to support the IGAD Regional HIV/AIDS Partnership Program (IRHAPP). The program seeks to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS among cross-border and mobile populations in IGAD’s member states: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. The four-year project, aims to reduce the vulnerability of these mobile populations.
Community views on routine HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment in Botswana
Cockcroft A, Andersson N, Milne D, Mokoena T, Masisi M: BMC International Health and Human Rights 7:5, 8 June 2007
The Botswana government began providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2002 and in 2004 introduced routine HIV testing (RHT) in government health facilities, aiming to increase HIV testing and uptake of ART. This paper reports a household survey of 1536 people in Botswana, asking about use and experience of government health services, views about RHT, views about ART, and testing for HIV in the last 12 months. Public awareness and approval of RHT was very high. The high rate of RHT has contributed to the overall high rate of HIV testing. The government's programme to increase HIV testing and uptake of ART is apparently working well. However, turning the tide of the epidemic will also require further concerted efforts to reduce the rate of new HIV infections.
Healthcare utilisation of patients accessing an African national treatment program
Harling G, Orrell C, Wood R: BMC Health Services Research 7:80, 7 June 2007
The roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Africa will have significant resource implications arising from its impact on demand for healthcare services. Existing studies of healthcare utilisation on HAART have been conducted in the developed world, where HAART is commenced when HIV illness is less advanced. This paper describes healthcare utilization from program entry by treatment-naïve patients in a peri-urban settlement in South Africa.
How far will we need to go to reach HIV-infected people in rural South Africa?
Wilson DC, Blower SM: BMC Medicine 5:16, 19 June 2007
The South African Government has outlined detailed plans for antiretroviral (ART) rollout in KwaZulu-Natal Province, but has not created a plan to address treatment accessibility in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. This paper calculates the distance that People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal would have to travel to receive ART in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The results show that many PLWHA in rural KwaZulu-Natal are unlikely to have access to ART, and that the impact of an additional 37 HCFs on treatment accessibility in rural areas would be less substantial than might be expected. There is a great length to go to reach many PLWHA in rural areas in South Africa, and specifically in KwaZulu-Natal.
Infant feeding counselling for HIV-infected and uninfected women: Appropriateness of choice and practice
Bland RM, Rollins RC, Coovadia HM: Bulletin of the World Health Organization 85: 289-296 , April 2007
This article examines infant feeding intentions of HIV-infected and uninfected women in South Africa, and the appropriateness of their choices according to their home resources. The paper concludes that most HIV infected women did not have the resources for safe replacement feeding, and appropriately chose instead to exclusively breastfeed. Significantly more intending to exclusively breastfeed, rather than replacement feed, adhered to their intention in week one.
Multi-Country AIDS Program 2000–2006: Results of the World Bank’s response to a development crisis
World Bank, 14 June 2007
A new World Bank report on HIV/AIDS launched in June says the mobilisation of empowered 'grassroots' communities, along with delivering condoms and life-saving treatments, are beginning to slow the pace of the continent's epidemic. According to the new report ultimate success in defeating HIV/AIDS will depend on marshalling effective prevention, care, and treatment, measures to boost 'social immune systems' in African countries - changing beliefs, perceptions, and social and individual behaviors around the disease to reverse the advance of HIV and stop the damage done by AIDS.
Progress in the first year of 'Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS'
UNAIDS: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS , 2007
This briefing paper provides an overview of the achievements of the 'Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS initiative' in improving prevention of and treatment for HIV and AIDS among children. The report concludes that, while some progress has been made, many children and mothers are not receiving the services and treatments they require. To redress this, significantly more resources are needed, together with policy changes in affected countries. Appendices to the report provide data on all countries’ HIV infection rates and access to services and medicines.