Introduction
HIV is a dangerous virus that has gained prevalence in recent decades. With the development of science and technology, treatment and prevention measures have become more widespread, but the disease still presents an issue for many. As a chronic condition, HIV and AIDS damage the person’s immune system, rendering them unable to resist other types of disease or injury. While most countries have developed ways of managing the condition and safeguarding their people to a large extent, some of them have had great difficulty in accomplishing that.
One of such place in Africa. The majority of HIV-positive people reside in Africa, with at least 91% percent of HIV-infected children also being African. The disease is a major public health concern on the continent and warrants attention from both the African authorities and the global community in general. South Africa is affected the most, as its population suffers from lower life expectancy and heightened death rates. Africa, overall, has faced significant challenges in counteracting the effects and the spread of HIV. The paper will examine the issue of HIV/AIDS in Africa, focusing on the effects of the disease, the procedures of its containment, and the prevention tactics used by the African public. By examining this topic, one can gain a better understanding of the context around the African HIV epidemic.
The Effects of HIV
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a type of chronic disease that affects a person’s immune system. First discovered in the 1980s the condition has over time spread to a significant part of the population and affected their daily lives in a significant manner. The virus causes the immune response of the victim to shut down, making them susceptible to life-threatening diseases and dangers. Generally, the condition can manifest through a variety of symptoms, including fevers, fatigue, inflation of a person’s lymph nodes, diarrhea, and some others. While the disease itself does not cause a person to suffer life-threatening side effects, a person’s ability to resist other types of disease is extremely lessened, which can damage their health irreparably.
HIV can be transmitted through a person’s blood, as well as through sexual relations with another person, which makes it especially dangerous. Without proper medical attention and examination, the disease can be unnoticed and gradually erode a person’s immune system, transitioning into a more lethal phase, called AIDS. No cure exists as of now, meaning that the efforts of treatment and prevention have to be especially enforced. In the case of Africa’s HIV problem, the virus also causes several unexpected consequences for both the common people and their governments. HIV limits income mobility in households, and increases a family’s chances of living in poverty, with women being especially vulnerable (Dixon). Children are also put at risk, with many of them suffering from HIV/AIDS or not having a strong financial support system to sustain their growth (Quinn and Serwadda 1133).
The African HIV crisis also contributes to food insecurity. Research predicts that by economic theory, the labor market and the productivity of workers are reduced due to the influence of HIV/AIDS, which stunts the country’s economic development considerably (Dixon). Export and import efforts of the continent are also impacted, as the amount of African produce is significantly decreased. Import suffers because the African population requires more advanced and expensive medication to control the impact and spread of the virus, which further destabilizes the economy. Overall, HIV has negative effects on the African population on both the national and individual levels. The population has to endure high mortality rates and complications caused by the disease, and the economy experiences a significant decline. Reduced production rates and exports deny Africa the ability to manage the health crisis properly.
Containment Efforts
The African continent has used its efforts to find appropriate measures to contain and address the HIV pandemic and its effects on the population. Containing the virus is difficult, and the only sure way to accomplish that is to promote better awareness of HIV in the general public, as well as its effects on the population. Many people still hold grievous misconceptions about the nature of the disease, as well as its spread in society. The continent has to concentrate on promoting safer sex practices and learning. There is a variety of ways to accomplish that, including legislative efforts.
The African Union, an organization facilitating collaboration between 55 member states on the African continent, has put considerable effort into stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. The advocacy platform called AIDS Watch Africa is one of them, existing to assist African governments to properly address the spread of HIV and allocate government resources (AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) – An Africa free from AIDS, TB, and Malaria). The organization promotes better leadership and governance in African countries, focusing on supporting correct policy decisions. AIDS Watch Africa also works with local organizations, to acquire relevant information and promote beneficial legislation.
Prevention
Prevention of HIV/AIDS, much like its containment, is complicated and requires organized effort from the general public, educational institutions, and the government. Generally, national prevention programs exist in bigger countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe. In 2015, the national programs were re-vitalized, and national roadmaps to address and prevent the spread of the disease were created (HIV and AIDS in East and Southern Africa regional overview).
As the spread of HIV is uneven and specific to each country, their governments implement specific strategies to address the problem in each county, taking into account the severity of the issue and the population of the area. African government promotes and encourages better, comprehensive education about sex, as well as wider availability of condoms. This effort is especially evident in women, who were historically restricted in their access to sex education and preventive measures. Specific services to protect pregnant women and their children were also launched, which helped African countries to a differing degree.
In 2018, “Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zambia were enabling more than 95% of pregnant women living with HIV to access effective ART” (HIV and AIDS in East and Southern Africa regional overview) which is a goalpost other countries move towards. Services centered on men are also used, especially voluntary circumcision, which is expected to reduce disease transmission from males to females considerably (HIV and AIDS in East and Southern Africa regional overview). Much like with other practices, the result varies, but the availability of the procedure and its social encouragement are effective in addressing the HIV epidemic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in African society is a serious issue warranting extensive attention from both local governments and the general public. A disease that gradually erodes a person’s immune response and leaves them susceptible to all kinds of illnesses is extremely harmful, leading to a large number of deaths and endangering individuals. HIV is disadvantageous on both the personal and the national level, as its effects are overarching. Leading to the creation of overwhelming poverty and food insecurity, which leaves people miserable and unable to meaningfully exist in society.
A drop in production quality, worker motivation, and economic development of African counties is also important to note. Deceased imports and export disallow people from bettering their life circumstances, and put the government economy in serious trouble. African countries collaboratively contribute to the effort of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, which manifests partially in the work of the African Union. The organization established by the coalition works to promote better legislation and effectively address the spread of HIV. By influencing political decision-making and collaborating with local medical and educational organizations, AIDS Watch Africa works to limit the spread of the virus.
Prevention efforts are also evident, as African countries, either solely or in collaboration with each other implement policies used to aid their people. Locally, better education is advocated for, and the necessity of condom use as a safeguarding mechanism is emphasized. Individual programs to help both men and women are also implemented, with the former getting access to better education and children protection-related services, and the latter having the ability to volunteer for circumcision. Overall, the African continent faces a significant problem that is addressed through shared work.
Works Cited
“HIV and AIDS in East and Southern Africa Regional Overview.” 2020. Web.
Dixon, S. “The Impact of HIV and AIDS on Africa’s Economic Development.” BMJ, vol. 324, no. 7331, 2002, pp. 232–34. Crossref.
Quinn, Thomas C., and David Serwadda. “The Future of HIV/AIDS in Africa: A Shared Responsibility.” The Lancet, vol. 377, no. 9772, 2011, pp. 1133–34. Crossref.
“AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) – An Africa Free from AIDS, TB and Malaria.” AIDS Watch Africa.