Rate far higher than previous studies show, IOM says
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A new survey for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 23 commercial farms in two South African provinces turned up a far higher than expected rate of HIV positive samples. The Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBSS) involved 2,810 farm workers in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces who anonymously gave blood specimens for HIV testing, says the IOM.
The group has the highest HIV prevalence among any working population in Southern Africa, based on the survey, the IOM reports: about twice the average for the country and far higher than previously thought. On average, 39.5 percent of farm workers who tested were HIV positive. “This is more than twice the Unaids estimated national prevalence for South Africa of 18.1 percent,” with women having a far higher rate, 46.7 percent, than men, 30.9 percent.
The study could not find a single factor to account for the high incidence, but the locations of the farms in the Malelane, Musina and Tzaneen areas appears to be significant:
WHO vaccination campaign. © WHO 2010
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The fight against Aids and HIV infection world-wide has chalked up some significant successes, including access to treatment for 80 percent of the HIV-positive women in need in 15 countries in 2009, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report released 28 September.
One million more people started anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa in 2009, and now 37 percent of the people in need there are receiving treatment. But funding still falls short and the organization fears that government budget cuts will translate into less support in coming years.
“Countries in all parts of the world are demonstrating that universal access is achievable,” said Hiroki Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. Medecins sans Frontières (MSF), a French medical emergency organization, fears that countries will announce important cuts in funding to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria (GFATM) at a funds replenishment conference in New York next week.
The Fund’s target of $20 billion over three years is unlikely to be met, according to MSF. One-quarter of worldwide Aids funding goes through GFATM, says MSF.
“We’re on the right track, we’ve shown what works and now we need to do more of it,” said Paul De Lay, deputy executive director, UNAids. “But we’re $10 billion short. At the Global Fund replenishment conference in New York next week countries have a chance to put this right, to make a smart investment and secure the future of the Aids response.”
Links to other sites: Global Fund, UNAids
Gold Disc Swiss artist Shana P singing her latest single “Regarde moi.” Students at Webster afterwards released 250 red and white bio balloons, as a symbol of solidarity and support to those living with HIV/Aids. Members of the Student Government Association handed out free condoms and information about HIV testing services in Geneva and nearby France.
(Video) Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – World Aids Day 1 December brought some good news, starting with a change of policy in South Africa, whose president said the country will now start treating all children with Aids. South Africa for several years denied the extent of its Aids problem and Tuesday’s announcement by President Jacob Zuma was greeted positively by Aids groups around the world.
Geneva is home to several organizations that work closely with Aids/HIV projects, from research to financing programmes, developing treatments and humanitarian assistance. World Aids Day Tuesday was observed in a variety of ways, from students at Webster University setting off balloons and attending a charity concert to the Global Fund for Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis publishing its latest figures.
