Journal de santé et d'informatique médicale

HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Strategies: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Abstract

Fyson Hanania Kasenga

An extensive literature review on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Strategies was done from February to June, 2003 at Diakonhjemmet College, International Department in Oslo, Norway. Information from both developed and developing countries was examined. The main source of information included HIV/AIDS publications and text books extracted from the already existing resources. Furthermore, the author’s experience from Malawian context acted as a catalyst throughout the entire write up of this document.

The exercise aimed at documenting HIV/AIDS management strategies on various levels of intervention developments. It sought to unveil possible obstacles experienced by aid agencies in HIV/AIDS programs and the application of their policies/priorities to more diverse cultural settings. The paper seeks to address factors that are responsible for HIV transmission and how to deal with them in a more acceptable and an interdisciplinary manner. Consequently, examples of success stories that have emanated from effective HIV/AIDS management have been cited to influence the readers’ intuition in fighting against HIV/AIDS.

It is estimated that 40 million of adults and children are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Many of these people are in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 21 million people are living with AIDS. In 13 countries in the region at least 10% of all adults are HIV infected and the prevalence rates in many capital cities are 35% or more. Hospitals cannot cope up with admissions of HIV/AIDS related conditions. It is estimated that by 1998, 800,000 people in Malawi had already died of AIDS since the epidemic started. Many of them were adults in their most productive years (15-45). This is very unfortunate because the young adults are the ones upon whom the development of the country depends.

Currently, 16% of the Malawian population is living with HIV/AIDS. It is therefore necessary to utilize every effort that will help to reduce HIV transmission and improve the quality of life for those who are already infected. It is in the light of this that the document seeks to provide added possibilities to those who are committed and dedicated in alleviating human suffering worldwide.