AEGiS-NV: A Cause for Worry

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

A Cause for Worry

New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2002

A NEW report compiled by the Ministry of Health says Uganda's HIV infection rate is no longer declining. The infection rate among pregnant women was at 6.5% at the end of 2001, compared to 6.1% in 2000. This is disturbing. After falling consistently for 10 years, the HIV infection rate is taking a new trend. It is possible that this is just a one-year twist, after which the rates will continue falling.

But there is a real possibility that the rates may be stagnating or even worse, rising. After 16 years people may be tired of listening to the same old messages, and therefore becoming complacent.

Another possible cause of complacency is the availability of life-prolonging drugs. Over the years the drugs have become cheaper and more available.

At the same time Uganda's falling HIV infection rates has been proclaimed loudly. This could have made some people relax, thinking the situation was not that bad.

Scientifically it is known that an infection that is present in more than 5% of a given population can easily explode. So Uganda is still within the danger zone despite consistent declines for a decade.

We need new strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Ugandans need to know that anti-retroviral drugs do not cure AIDS, and there are complications like drug resistance and side effects. They improve the situation, but this is no cause for relaxation.

Without a cure, people need to be reminded that the best cure yet for HIV/AIDS is still abstinence, correct use of condoms or, faithfulness in the case of married couples.

The gains made over the last 16 years could very easily be reversed if Ugandans relax at this point.

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