Science Feature: Africa--Migration

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Science Feature: Africa--Migration

PANA Wire Service (12/24/97)
Masebu, Peter

Abstract: According to a new report from the Monitoring the AIDS Pandemic network, migration may be one of the reasons for the high prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. "The Status and Trends of the HIV/AIDS/STD in Sub-Saharan Africa" report notes that migration plays an important role in the spread of the virus across the Great Lakes region, the Horn of Africa, South Africa, and West Africa. UNAIDS has estimated that 90 percent of the 30.6 million people with HIV worldwide live in sub- Saharan Africa, with 55 percent of that number residing in countries between Central African Republic and South Africa. "The movement of people along the trans-African highway drives the epidemics of East Africa," the report notes. Still, the report acknowledges that data on intravenous drug use, homosexual transmission, blood transfusion, and iatrogenic mechanism is limited and, therefore, other factors may be just as significant as migration in the spread of HIV. However, citing the decline of HIV prevalence in Uganda, the report asserts that such success stories could be seen in other locations across the continent, especially through targeted prevention interventions.

971229
AD972362

Copyright © 1997 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.