How could sub-Saharan Africa nations begin the process of lowering the HIV/AIDS rates?
1 Answer
Lowering the HIV/AIDS rates will required a cultural societal change.
Explanation:
Swaziland where I went on a Summer Mission trip is making some headway after being the most affected country in the world at one time.
One problem is the birth control method preferred historically in that country is anal sex. Anal sex is a very unsafe method due to bleeding that allows the transfer of the HIV virus from one partner to another. Getting birth control pills, and other methods of birth control into the societal norms is a big step in reducing AIDS.
Another problem is polygamy. A Swazi man is encouraged to have multiple wives if he can afford to support them. The HIV virus is then spread between all of his wives. Also visiting a prostitute while in the city or large town is an acceptable practice. Reducing prostitution and polygamy will reduce the AIDS epidemic. But changing these social values is hard.
Circumision is also helping. The foreskin becomes a breeding place for the virus, increasing the density of the virus making transfer of the disease more likely for both the male and the female. Education on hygiene and better sources of clean water and soap will also reduce the incidence of HIV transfer.
A common myth in Swaziland is that having sex with a virgin woman will cure the man of AIDS. This myth clearly spreads the AIDS virus to young girls who will then go on to have sex with young men after being infected. Again Education correcting this myth and other misconceptions about AIDS will help control the spread of the disease.
Education aimed at changing the social and cultural norms will be difficult but necessary to stem the spread of this disease. Making better choices available for both birth control and hygiene are essential and doable. Correcting myths and misconception seems easy but turns out it is not.
