Alarming AIDS figures reported in new study

HIV/AIDS is sweeping through parts of South Africa's east-coast province of KwaZulu-Natal, where researchers are finding alarming HIV prevalence levels among women.

"The study might be considered somewhat biased, as only women were tested, but the figures do suggest a worrying upward trend which could be part of a bigger problem," Medical Research Council (MRC) researcher Prof Gita Ramjee told PlusNews.

During recent clinical trials into the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides at eight test sites around KwaZulu-Natal, the MRC found prevalence rates of between 38 percent and 50 percent, and in the Embo area south of the port city of Durban, a prevalence of more than 66 percent was discovered.

Rising HIV rates in traditionally conservative Indian communities, such as Chatsworth township, also grabbed the attention of caregivers working with HIV-positive people in the area.

The MRC found HIV prevalence reaching 48 percent in some parts of Chatsworth.

Honey Allee, a nurse and AIDS educator working in Chatsworth, told PlusNews she was not surprised. "In a community where people still hide behind cultural practices, and avoid the taboo subjects of sex and promiscuity, there is bound to be marked presence of HIV and AIDS."

Allee said she witnessed the end-result of AIDS denial almost daily. "In a culture where divorce is practically unheard of and frowned upon, women are forced to engage in unprotected sexual activity with unfaithful male partners.

The importance of boy-children also contributes to the rising prevalence of HIV among women in these communities."

She said boys were treated like demi-gods, and later in life were exempt from apology for unfaithfulness and taking multiple sex partners, even when this was brought to the attention of their wives.

The financial situation of many of these women also placed them at risk of infection, with some single mothers resorting to commercial sex to feed and educate their children.

"But more in-depth research still needs to be conducted into the numerous social factors that are fuelling this pandemic.

In the meantime, we can only hope that our efforts to encourage open discussions around the subject of HIV prevention hits home," Allee said.

Ramjee and her team confirmed that they were conducting further research, this time involving both men and women.

//This article is part of an IRIN/PlusNews series on HIV/AIDS and communities of humanitarian concern. Visit: PlusNews. //