Why are there so many people with AIDS in Africa?

Question

Watching that American Idol special last night really made me think, how to so many become infected and how can they prevent it? I heard something about being bit by mosquitos but I still don't understand. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

Answer 1

Malaria is the big disease that they face getting when they are bitten by a mosquito, because that's how malaria is spread. AIDs, in the other hand, is spread via bodily fluids. African people have a lot of AIDs cases because they have a large population, they are poor and uneducated, and do not have access to condoms or simply don't use them. It's so sad.

Answer 2

I went to Africa for a month last summer and it is incredible how many people there are living and dying with AIDS. The thing about the mosquito's is probably related to malaria more than AIDS. Malaria is just as much as an epidemic as AIDS is. The reason so many have it is because of the lack of education on how AIDS and HIV is spread. Without really knowing how its spread you can't begin to understand how to prevent it. Its just like India, alot of the transmission is from transiant workers like truck drivers with prostitutes. Also in incredibly poor environments there is also an increase of domestic violence and abuse, so children can be born with it because their mothers were prostitutes or they were sexually abused by their husbands who could have contracted it from a prostitute somewhere. There is also a theory that the AIDS virus originally effected chimpanzees, and was transmitted to humans through infected game meat. Their are many people that will eat chimps and other endangered species and can contract other food borne illnesses. This is believed to have originated in the Congo sometime in the 1930's. The fact that the AIDS virus and other diseases are spread so easily, is made worse by the fact that Africa in general has very poor healthcare systems. I actually got sick with what they thought at first was malaria there, I was in Tanzania, i went to a local hospital and it was amazing how different it was compared to the hospitals in the US, the only way that i can describe it, it was like being thrown back about 100 years in terms of the equipment they had or the lack there of.
It's good though that it got you thinking about this kind of stuff, i give American Idol credit if it made an impression on you. If you are interested in finding out more info just google AIDS and Africa and see what comes up. There are numerous charities you can donate too or if you are even interested going there or anywhere else to help those effected then go for it. It will be one of the hardest but definately the most rewarding things you can do. Good luck if you keep thinking about this kind of thing and esp. if you decide to do something about it.

Answer 3

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. It is also passed on from Mother to baby at birth. Africa is a poverty stricken nation with few ways to educate its public about the disease. Also, they can not afford the medications to help stop the disease once a person is infected, therefore, it is much more prevalent in Africa than in the United States. I don't believe there is any evidence to prove or disprove any theories regarding its transmission by way of mosquito bites.

Answer 4

I believe the answer to your first question is lack of education and medication to fight this deadly disease. As far as the mosquito issue, such as Malaria, has to do moreso with the living conditions of this poor, impoverished country. The dwellings they showed last night about broke my heart! It is so sad to see such widespread suffering, while we're sitting around, kicking back watching t.v, knowing that so many of those people are living that way. For under 10 bucks, these people can buy mosquito nets to cover themselves with to help fight the problem, but $10 to them is like $1000 to us. I just wish more of us Americans (especially those Hollywood stars) would donate more time and money to this serious dilema.

Answer 5

Poverty in Africa has meant little HIV education, condoms or free drug resources. A system must be in place to diagnosis, treat and teach HIV+ people. Historically our government does not wish to participate in condom programs or in drug based programs. The disease became established in the population, as many as 1/3 of the adults of sub-Saharan Africa may be HIV +, leading to increased starvation as they are too ill to farm or work. Much of Africa is rural with few roads so just getting to these populations is often difficult. With civil wars displacing millions HIV is not a priority problem for many. While inexpensive HIV drugs are now available to some nations it is not enough for everyone who is infected so the lucky people receive medication. Women receiving HIV medications during pregnancy usually deliver HIV free infants. Rape is a critical problem. Prevention via education and condoms are the only long term answer. We need to press our government and private foundations to provide money for prevention, more HIV medications, and sadly orphanages.

Answer 6

There are no documented cases of getting aids from a mosquito, you may be thinking of malaria. The spread of aids in Africa is likely due to political economic factors.

Answer 7

A lot of them do know about HIV and AIDS but most of them, primarily the men just don't care enough. Unprotected sex with prostitutes is a big problem over there. The men then pass STDs on to their women. The women can't do anything about it because almost all of the men do this, so the women have no choice, other than to never have sex/get married/have children.

Answer 8

No mosquitoes can't transmit AIDS, that's not the problem. The problem is poverty leading to prostitution and lack of protection. Also, lack of educational sources for this problem.

Here's a link to read about why mosquitoes cannot transmit AIDS: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/aids.htm

Answer 9

There is a strong tendency in the male-dominated societies to discount the realities of AIDS and that it is not manly to use a condom. And, as others have mentioned, the women tend to be compliant. It's sad.

Answer 10

Awareness is the problem. Many people dying of AIDS haven't even heard of it! Also men believe that having sex with a virgin will cure them, which means they rape young girls, even babies, but instead of curing anything it spreads to the younger generations too. It's heartbreaking.