Advancing and retreating in the AIDS battle in Zaire
Shiner, C.
Sun 1992: 4m
1992
PMID: 12286486 Document Number: 326104
Unemployment and inflation stand at 70% and 5000%/year, respectively, in Zaire. Thus many women turn to prostitution to survive. About 50% are HIV positive. Yet HIV seroprevalence rates in prostitutes in other sub=Saharan African countries can be as high as 90%. 5-10% of women of reproductive age in Kinshasa are HIV positive, but the HIV infection rate as stabilized. Health workers may not learn why this has occurred, however, since the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stopped providing personnel and funds to Zaire's AIDS Program (Project SIDA). It is the continent's largest and most reputable and significant effort to fight AIDS. Its Zairian researchers are international level scientists. Project SIDA had 8 sites which tracked HIV infection in prostitutes and treated tuberculosis in AIDS patients and sexually transmitted diseases since they foster the spread of HIV. It also carried on a successful education and condom distribution campaign. Other countries use Project SIDA as a model to control AIDS. The most obvious effect of CDC withdrawal will be the reduced services to prostitutes according to a US pathologist. The project can no longer follow about 2000 mothers and children infected with HIV. CDC's withdrawal also negates any planned clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine. CDC claims it is no longer supporting Project SIDA because the government of Zaire can no longer guarantee the safety of CDC employees after the looting spree of unpaid soldiers in September-October 1991. Tensions have grown since December 1991 when the President, who gained power in a US Central Intelligence Agency backed coup in 1960, did not relinquish power at the end of his 46th term. Some US State Department officials are happy the disorder occurred since it allows the US to cut back on diplomats in Africa and to strengthen US representation in Eastern Europe.