HIV/AIDS in Africa

By: Nicole Menkel

What is HIV?

A Virus that takes over the cells

Weakens the Immune System

Infects Humans

What is AIDS?

It is a Syndrome (collection of symptoms of disease--very complex)

The Immune System becomes Deficient

The Immune system has organs and cells that fight off disease

Can’t inherit it from your parents--Acquired

How can you get HIV/AIDS?

Sexual assaultBlood transfusions

Breast feeding

Having sex with infected partner

methamphetamineDrug usersPregnancyAnal intercourse

Sharing and reusing syringes

Exposure to blood products

Homosexual contact

Unprotected sex

Where HIV can be found

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are needed to see this picture.

A closer look

Why does Africa have such high numbers?

Multiple sex relationships

Wives beaten if they ask for condoms

Individual AttitudesMen “feel nothing” and continue to

have unprotected sexSuccess based on amount of women

men sleep withPromiscuity is the new normalChildren and teens grow up watching

adults having sexSex happened all the time so no one

used protection

What is the government’s role?Political instabilityHealthcareLeaders won’t recognize the connection

of HIV and AIDSEducation?Powerless village leaders

Economic Causes

Poverty Medication? No access to safe

water and proper sanitation services

Poor continent Income levels

dropping

Natural Disasters

Damages villages

Vulnerability (women)

Sex for money

Social Effects Devastation Families are left in

shambles Children surviving

on their own Orphans School and

education are threatened

More Social Effects

Mortality rates increase

Orphan rates increase Family members get

affected No steady income for

a family

Political Effects Government can’t

provide healthcare Lack of workers

with proper knowledge

Government loses control over society

Economic Effects Treatment drugs and medical aid price

increaseLabor supply decreasesAgriculture laborers to shop owners are

effected Replacing ill or dead workers cost

moneyHome based care?

Statistics (Kenya)

Statistics (South Africa)

What the government can do Put more money

towards healthcare Ensure policies on

testing for HIV

Media: insist on precautions

Train teachers to talk about AIDS prevention

What the U.S. can do

Donate money Donate medication Donate condoms Raise awareness Educate!!

What I did www.avert.org/ Donated money

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk0aW2aLABc&feature=related