HIV prevention failing in rural South Africa

A recent modeling study suggests that existing HIV prevention strategies in rural South Africa, a nation with an HIV prevalence rate of 18% and logging 500,000 new infections per year, are simply insufficient to reduce the spread of the virus that causes AIDS.

Bärnighausen et al. (2009) estimated that the incidence rates – or the numbers of new cases per year – is 4.2 and 2.2 per 100,000 person-years for women and men in rural communities, respectively.

Worse, the study finds that high levels of HIV incidence in rural South Africa showed no signs of abating in women or men between 2003 - 2007, perhaps due to a lack of large scale changes in risk behavior.

The study examines 3 possible reasons for the stability of HIV incidence in these South African communities:

1. Existing HIV prevention strategies are insufficiently scaled to reach rural populations;
   
2. Programs fail to target prevention to the needs of those most at risk for infection; or,
   
3. Governmental and other service providers are deploying ineffective prevention strategies.

Bärnighausen et al. (2009) posit that progress stemming the tide of HIV in the ZA countryside will only come with the implementation of new, innovative biomedical and behavioral prevention strategies or with an intensified effort to deploy proven prevention strategies effectively.

Either way, curbing the epidemic in rural South Africa will require vast economic resources and a renewed commitment by political and community leaders to bring HIV to a halt in that besieged country.

Thankfully, it appears that the new South African Health Minister, Barbara Hogan, is indeed up to the task, which includes cleaning up the mess left by her incompetent predecessor. It turns out that former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was

a close ally of [world-class AIDS denialist and former] President Mbeki and someone who [shared] his sceptical attitudes on AIDS. Indeed, Ms Tshabalala-Msimiang's views are even more outlandish. At a conference in Toronto last year she extolled the virtues of garlic, lemons and beetroot as an alternative remedy for the disease. - The Independent, 8.10.2007

So, Hogan's plan is to resume a science-based approach to fighting HIV/AIDS in the country's rural and urban communities alike. Let's hope she succeeds before her administration succumbs quite literally to the disease.

Source: Bärnighausen, T., Tanser, F., & Newell, M-L. (2009). Lack of a decline in HIV incidence in a rural community with high HIV prevalence in South Africa, 2003 – 2007. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 25 (4). [ePub ahead of print].

Donors, you got to give a little love - Tom Jones

Here's a little entertainment while you write a check or make an online donation to my Enduro Africa 2009 fundraiser and 2000-km offroad motorbike ride through Southern Africa in October, which benefits 4 key charities serving those vulnerable to HIV in rural communities.

Now, put the needle on the record (and hang on to your knickers...)

Not bad for a 70-year old, eh?

UNICEF: Donations critical during crisis

Here's the first in a series of posts that highlights the work of UNICEF, one of the beneficiaries of Enduro Africa 2009. UNICEF Fundraising Initiatives Officer, Arlene Rosser, makes a far more eloquent case than I could for the continuing need for the agency's efforts, particularly in the midst of the global economic crisis. Take a look:

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Alyrene Rosser
To: adforsyth @ yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 6:47:24 AM
Subject: RE: Fundraising Question - Enduro Africa 09

Dear Andrew,

Thank you for getting in touch and thank you so much for taking part in Enduro Africa. The ride is a wonderful challenge; I was on it last year and am sure you will have a fantastic time!

In terms of the economic crisis it because of this that charities, such as UNICEF, need even more support. With people across the globe loosing jobs this puts more pressure on families. Children may have to drop out of school because their parents can't afford the fees/books/uniform. Children themselves may be forced into work to support their families. With less house hold income families may have to reduce the amount of meals they are able to eat a day. They may also have to buy cheaper food which is not as nutritious and can lead to further health problems. There are also the issues surrounding medication with the cost of medicines rising.

UNICEF is constantly monitoring the situation of children on the ground in over 150 countries and territories. Current assessments are paying particular attention to the unfolding impacts the financial crisis is having on various aspects of children's lives, to see how we can adjust and augment our programming and support in areas such as health, nutrition, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, education and child protection. For already vulnerable families, humanitarian assistance will also play a particularly important role in UNICEF operations. While information on the impacts of the financial crisis is still being built, the organizational response to the recent food price increases gives an example of possible future actions. As a result of these price increases, UNICEF identified 45 countries where children were at severe risk and allocated over $50 million of our resources towards programmes to provide an immediate response to the crisis and enhance nutritional security.

UNICEF is also conducting economic and social policy research on the crisis, advocating for policy changes to protect children and providing governments with upstream policy advice and technical assistance. A key element of this work is the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), in which UNICEF works with over 50 countries to fill data gaps in monitoring the situation of women and children. We are also working with national governments to ensure that budgets are child-friendly and that children are offered social protection to help ensure that their well-being is protected as internal and external financial flows become threatened. Further, with the full impacts of the crisis on children and possible policy responses still uncertain, UNICEF is conducting research on the crisis with partners to build a stronger knowledge base for informing upstream policy responses and implementing efficient programming. These research projects are underway at global, regional and country levels, resulting in various conferences and research products in the coming year.

Do let me know if you need any further information or assistance with your fundraising. UNICEF receives no funding from the UN; we rely entirely on voluntary donations so your support through Enduro Africa really will make a difference to the children in South Africa [emphasis added].

Very best wishes and I look forward to meeting you in October.

Kind Regards

Alyrene Rosser
Fundraising Initiatives Officer
_________________________________
www.unicef.org.uk /AlyreneR @ unicef.org.uk
__________________________________________
Tel: + 44 (0)207 375 6138 Fax: + 44 (0)207 250 1733

UNICEF UK , 30a Great Sutton Street , London EC1V 0DU