PRNewswire - October 21, 1999

The effects of the AIDS epidemic are most severe in Africa, a continent that is home to over 80% of all HIV-infected people. Between 2.5 and 3 million Ethiopians are infected with the virus. Over 90% are between the ages of 15 and 45. Because of this, AIDS has decimated the most productive segment of the population and drastically reduced the number of caregivers. In a developing nation dependant upon the extended family for social support the loss of this group has had far-reaching implications.

AIDS is considered the primary threat to developing nations. It affects millions of people directly, and millions more indirectly. In Ethiopia, as in other African nations, the epidemic spread largely in silence. People are reticent to discuss the disease openly, preferring to blame the deaths on other more socially acceptable ailments. Cultural practices and social norms help to spread the disease and make it difficult for women and children in particular to protect themselves from infection.

In a recent address, Ethiopian President Dr. Negasso Gidada commented that "unless this situation is reversed, the social, economic and population impact on our peoples is going to be severe." He noted that tackling AIDS is a priority. The government has given its full support to First International Conference on AIDS is Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Seyoum Mesfin, is the conference patron. Six other government ministries endorse and support the event.

The conference aims to open public dialogue on the epidemic in Ethiopia and to foster public awareness of techniques for preventing its spread. To this end, the organizers are bringing in 200 regional participants representing groups strongly affected by HIV/AIDS: including truck drivers, hotel workers, and AIDS club members. In special sessions they will be instructed on prevention and treatment methods that they can in turn teach to others in their regions.

Conference Executive Director, Elleni Gebreamlak West, and Scientific Chairman, Dr. Seyoum Ayehunie, have been working for almost two years to organize the event. It is sponsored by the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro- American Research, the Harvard AIDS Institute, the Harvard Institute for International Development, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the Science Faculty of Addis Ababa University. A National Organizing Committee under the headship of Professor Sebsebe Demissew, Dean of the Science Faculty at Addis Ababa University, facilitates conference organization in Ethiopia.

SOURCE The First International Conference on AIDS in Ethiopia

CONTACT: Dr. Gerry Lorentz, Conference Administrator of The First International Conference on AIDS, 617-496-6935, ethio@fas.harvard.edu/
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