The Caribbean--reflecting global contrasts
Klouda, T.
Aids Watch 9: 2-4
1990
PMID: 12282758 Document Number: 369530
This paper addresses the dilemma facing the Caribbean in the establishment of policies that would lead to HIV prevention. The Caribbean are a collection of numerous cultures, languages, politics, and economies. It has a high number of AIDS cases relative to it's population size. At the onset of the AIDS epidemic, a series of bad studies led to the conclusion that Haitians were a "risk group" for HIV infection, consequences of which are irreparable. The AIDS epidemic has been characterized by attitudes of fear, and resentment of HIV infected persons. For instance, AIDS victims are totally excluded from controversial AIDS related discussions. Whereas in Trinidad and Tobago, widespread promotion of condoms is ongoing to control the spread of HIV infection. Cuba on the other hand, has tested most of it's population for HIV infection, and those who are infected have been isolated into medically equipped buildings. This approach, though effective, cannot be sustained by any other island in the Caribbean. In fact, issues of routine hospital blood screening tend to be problematic given the very low seroprevalence rates relative to the resources needed for testing. In all islands however, there is a drive to keep the blood supply free of HIV infection, and health workers well educated on AIDS related facts. However, education is not enough; there needs to be a change in feelings and attitudes that facilitate high risk behavior.