Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Miami Herald (11.28.08) - Friday, December 12, 2008
Ezra Fieser
"They've come here more and more because they can earn four, five, even 10 times what they could make in other jobs," said Dr. Marco Garc a, whose clinic near the La Terminal red-light district offers HIV screening and treatment. More clients are indigenous than ever before, he said, as a handful of Maya women sat in the waiting room with small children. "They realize the risks of contracting diseases, but prostitution pays."
"Many come from indigenous communities and many of them had been deported," said Maria Tallarico, who oversees UNAIDS in Guatemala. "They have no jobs, there is no social system to support them, so they go into prostitution.
"They act as a bridge for [HIV/AIDS] and related diseases, bringing it back to the general population," she said. "We don't yet have firm numbers, but hospitals are seeing more cases of tuberculosis and STDs, as well as more AIDS cases."
Clinics serving the poor, including Garc a's, are being overwhelmed. "Our largest issue is always money," said Ana Castillo, executive director of the Fundaci<=n Marco Antonio, which operates the clinic. "We are funded by the government, and the Ministry of Health receives budget cuts regularly. We couldn't possibly expand our services."
In recent years, a clinic in the in the Western Highlands that serves indigenous Guatemalans has seen demand for HIV/AIDS treatment surge. Several years ago, it saw just seven patients. Now it serves 40-50 every day. Most want nutritional advice, but many are presenting with symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
081212
AD082335
Copyright © 2008 - 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 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 2008. 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, 2008. 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.
.