SOUTH AFRICA: 700,000 South African Children Are Infected with HIV
SOUTH AFRICA: 700,000 South African Children Are Infected with HIV
The Guardian (London) (05.14.04) - Friday, May 14, 2004
Andrew Meldrum
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A Human Sciences Research Council study released Thursday found that more than 700,000 South African children under age 14 are HIV- positive - indicating the country's AIDS epidemic is as widespread among children as in the population at large. The survey indicated that 5.4 percent of two- to 14-year-olds are HIV-positive, compared with 5.3 percent of the total population. The infection rate among children ages two to 9 is 6.7 percent. "It appears that children run a much greater risk of contracting the disease than previously thought," said Olive Shisana, the study's lead author.
The report said black children were the hardest hit, with almost half living in poverty, and infection rates were higher in "informal settlements," or squatter camps. The survey also showed that 3.3 percent of children between two and 18 have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
According to the study, the younger children contracted HIV from their mothers, and the older children through sexual abuse. The report noted that many children lived in high-risk environments where the threat of sexual abuse at home, in schools and in neighborhoods is ever-present.
"These are shocking figures that highlight the urgent need to get effective treatment to our young people," said Rukia Cornelius, a spokesperson for Treatment Action Campaign. TAC said mother-to-child HIV transmission could be drastically reduced with drug therapy. "Two years ago we won a court case ordering the government to provide ARVs [antiretroviral drugs] to pregnant mothers to reduce mother-to-child transmission and yet we still have this terrible rate," said Cornelius.
The study is expected to add mounting pressure on President Thabo Mbeki to improve the government's limited response to HIV/AIDS. Earlier this year, the government began providing AIDS drugs through a few state hospitals.
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AD041001
SOUTH AFRICA: 700,000 South African Children Are Infected with HIV
The Guardian (London) (05.14.04) - Friday, May 14, 2004
Andrew Meldrum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Human Sciences Research Council study released Thursday found that more than 700,000 South African children under age 14 are HIV- positive - indicating the country's AIDS epidemic is as widespread among children as in the population at large. The survey indicated that 5.4 percent of two- to 14-year-olds are HIV-positive, compared with 5.3 percent of the total population. The infection rate among children ages two to 9 is 6.7 percent. "It appears that children run a much greater risk of contracting the disease than previously thought," said Olive Shisana, the study's lead author.
The report said black children were the hardest hit, with almost half living in poverty, and infection rates were higher in "informal settlements," or squatter camps. The survey also showed that 3.3 percent of children between two and 18 have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
According to the study, the younger children contracted HIV from their mothers, and the older children through sexual abuse. The report noted that many children lived in high-risk environments where the threat of sexual abuse at home, in schools and in neighborhoods is ever-present.
"These are shocking figures that highlight the urgent need to get effective treatment to our young people," said Rukia Cornelius, a spokesperson for Treatment Action Campaign. TAC said mother-to-child HIV transmission could be drastically reduced with drug therapy. "Two years ago we won a court case ordering the government to provide ARVs [antiretroviral drugs] to pregnant mothers to reduce mother-to-child transmission and yet we still have this terrible rate," said Cornelius.
The study is expected to add mounting pressure on President Thabo Mbeki to improve the government's limited response to HIV/AIDS. Earlier this year, the government began providing AIDS drugs through a few state hospitals.
040514
AD041001
posted by Dr Philippe Maslo at 17:04
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