Ethnic conflicts poverty and AIDS in Ethiopia [letter]

Le résumé fourni par la source

Between 1962 and 1991 Ethiopia was engaged in a war in the north. It had 250000 military personnel who were at risk of HIV infection and could transmit HIV from area to area. They did not practice sex. In addition to unprotected sexual intercourse unscreened emergency blood transfusions likely transmitted HIV. The troops were not subject to HIV tests because of their large numbers. After the war the troops returned to their homes and spread HIV to rural areas. The war drought and famine displaced 9.5 million Ethiopians between 1977 and 1992. In a southern region of Ethiopia ethnic conflicts and poverty continue to displace some 90000 people. In 1983 war and drought precipitated the flow of 40000 refugees into Ethiopia from Somalia and Sudan. By 1992 the number rose to 1.062 million refugees. The large-scale population movement has resulted in separation of families a high divorce rate considerable unemployment countrywide and a rise in prostitution. The aforementioned problems have hindered implementation of AIDS prevention efforts. The government and leaders were not concerned about AIDS education and behavioral and attitudinal change was minimal. They must now confront the broader issues directly contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS and start critical efforts to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. By the end of 1992 4861 AIDS cases had been reported in Ethiopia. AIDS had afflicted 33.8% of married couples. HIV infection prevalence among blood donors was estimated to be 7.9%. In the resort town of Nazareth HIV prevalence among prostitutes had climbed from 20% in 1988 to 32% in 1989 to 55% in 1990.

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