AEGiS-14IAC: Why is the HIV/AIDS prevalence so high in sub-saharian Africa and in Cameroon in particular.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Why is the HIV/AIDS prevalence so high in sub-saharian Africa and in Cameroon in particular.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no.. G12537)

Kaptue L, Tagne SE, Deffo M, Kenmogne P
Haematology and Immunology laboratory FMBS Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

BACKGROUND: Despite a vigorous sensitization campain against HIV/AIDS epidemic since its begining, the prevalence rate is growing up continously in Sub - Saharian Africa in general and in Cameroon particularly. The prevalence rate rose from 0% in 1984 to 11% in 2001. So there is an urgent need to make a stop to answer the following question: what could explain the high risen of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub - saharian Africa in general and particularly in Cameroon. Objective :Our study aim to bring out cultural and socio - political factors susceptible to compromise the efficiency of mass sensitization campains against HIV/AIDS.

METHODS: Restrospective balance sheet of 10 years activities with the support of SIDAlerte Cameroon. Data analysis were done from KAP survey, key informant interwiew, qualitative analysis of effectiveness and response to sensitization campains, literature revue.

RESULTS: HIV/AIDS epidemic rises in sub-saharian Africa is due to the following reasons: Denial of the phenomenon ;taboo around HIV/AIDS at the individual and family level ; poverty and its subsequent consequences ; Women relying economically on men ; professional migrations and weekend journey in some attractive sites ; low implication of the youth in the prevention programme ; low implication of people living with HIV/AIDS in the fight; sexual abuse of young girls ; polygamy ; sexual rites ; levirat ; "sok tchie" and finally incoherent speeches of adults on various methods of HIV/AIDS prevention.

CONCLUSION: As we brougt out from this study the hight prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in sub- saharian Africa in general and in Cameroon in particular is due to many factors . To change this tendancy we must act on these factors accordingly, we should all commit ourselves . This is the way to the victory aigainst HIV/AIDS

Keywords: AEGIS, Prevalence, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Africa, Cameroon, Disease Outbreaks, Human, Female, Male, Adult, EpidemiologyKWDaegis,prevalence,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,hivseropositivity,africa,cameroon,diseaseoutbreaks,human,female,male,adult,epidemiology

020707
G12537

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