Zambians with HIV demanding more social support
AIDS weekly plus 1995: 19-20
1995
PMID: 12291187 Document Number: 296884
This article gives examples of breakdowns in social support systems among the Zambian HIV positive population, particularly women, and a general description of AIDS conditions in Zambia. The World AIDS Day calling for shared rights and shared responsibilities is not a reality for many women, who cannot successfully negotiate, without reprisal, protected sex with husbands through the use of condoms. Young children may have to shoulder alone the care of an HIV infected mother. Testing for HIV infection as a precondition to employment is discriminatory. The HIV infected population is urging changes in the Constitution that would protect their rights to equal opportunity in employment and health care. Officials are working toward improved communication about AIDS and better inter-family support systems for AIDS patients. The HIV infection rate is reported to have stabilized over the past four years at 25-28%. Sex workers charge less for services that include condom use. The Health Minister argues that high HIV infection figures are publicized in order to sell more condoms. National and international figures on the extent of AIDS cases are in conflict. The national manager for the World Health Organization's sexually transmitted disease program states that the 25% infected figure refers to recorded incidence among mothers attending prenatal or maternity clinics.