Lack of development puts its stamp on HIV / AIDS
Storck, E.; Brown, N.
Population Today 20(9): 4-5
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0749-2448 PMID: 12285747 Document Number: 321473
The course of HIV infection/AIDS and its impacts on society are affected by the conditions of underdevelopment. It is generally understood that HIV/AIDS affects development by the loss of trained manpower and the absorption of scarce social and economic resources. In underdeveloped countries, for instance the doctor:patient ratio is very high, i.e./ 1:34,000 in Rwanda, and inadequate facilities prevail, i..e., i Brazil, many AIDS service organizations are without telephones or other office equipment. Prevention strategies from developed countries may be inappropriate for developing countries. The cost of treatment may be greater than the institutional capability and compete with the availability of care for other illnesses. The social costs are in the health care system and in the economic and physical hardships of AIDS households. When governments are in a debt crisis or adjusting the economic system, social services are being reduced and scarcity of foreign exchange means basic medicines to treat complications of AIDS and equipment to detect HIV-infected blood may not be imported. HIV campaigns may be ineffectual in countries where there is a mistrust of government. Behaviors that place people at risk of HIV infection include low levels of education, crowded and unsanitary living conditions, limited access to health care, poor nutrition, and high rates of unemployment. Urban areas can place new rural migrants at risk, i.e., men separated from their families seeking prostitutes, or women with children and few employment skills turning to prostitution. Women must balance the desire for children with protecting themselves against HIV. Many women are unable to negotiate the use of condoms. Societies with taboos about talking about sexuality add to the difficulty. Popular, creative solutions are found in outreach efforts i popular music, children's HIV education programs, and the training of commercial sex workers in promoting condom use. There is a need for broad application of educational strategies compatible with cultural values and sensitive to community needs.