The Cause and Effect of HIV in Africa Essay examples

The Cause and Effect of HIV in Africa The ubiquitous acronym HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that gradually weakens the immune system until the body cannot fight off common infinitesimal infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, the â€Å"flu†, and other illnesses. All of which can be part of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the final stage of HIV that usually develops between 2 to 10 years after the infection. This infection is frequently transmitted through unprotected intercourse with someone who has already been affected with HIV and is an increasing problem in Africa. This study focuses mainly on the causes and effects of this virus in Africa. HIV is an ongoing battle in many different parts of the†¦show more content†¦Many of these girls are vulnerable to the HIV infection because most African men practice polygamy, or the practice of a man having several wives. (Marriage Practices. July 29, 2005: www.infoforhealth.org/pr/112/112boxes.shtml) If the mother is infected, their children are susceptible to the virus while growing in the womb during childbirth. Based on the research studies in Africa, breastfeeding can lead to an additional 10%-20% risk of HIV transmission. UN agencies recommend bottle feeding starting at birth for a mother who is infected with HIV. However, bottle feeding is only nutritionally adequate if it is safely prepared, given, and if an uninterrupted supply of alternative foods are available. In countries like Africa, the poor sanitation makes the bottle feeding risky and the high cost of formula feeding forces mothers to avoid bottle feeding. (HIV Transmission from Mother to Child. July 29, 2005: www.infoforhealth.org/pr/112/112boxes.shtml) In some cultures, wife inheritance is practiced. It is a tradition in which a wife is given to her brother-in-law upon the death of her husband. Thus both partners are in risk of HIV infection if the other is infected. But younger widows are at a particular risk because they are more likely to be sought by other sex partners. In some societies, it is necessary for the man to pay the payment of the bridal dowry to the woman’s family. Unfortunately, the marriage is sealed onceShow MoreRelatedA Perspective of Poverty and HIV on Sub-Saharan Africa1018 Words   |  4 Pagespoverty and HIV on Sub-Saharan Africa The majority of people currently living with HIV are in Sub-Saharan Africa where this infectious immune disease has had a devastating impact mentally, physically, economically and socially since this pandemic began. Sub-Saharan Africa is about 15% of the worlds population, and it has approximately seventy percent of the people living with HIV. In 2011 there were 23,500,000 people living with HIV, and 1,200,000 annual AIDS deaths. 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