AFRO-NETS> Misleading press release about 14 March experts' meeting

[David Gisselquist <david_gisselquist@yahoo.com>]

Misleading press release about 14 March experts' meeting
--------------------------------------------------------

On 15 March, Dieter Neuvians posted a press release from WHO/UNAIDS 
asserting that "Expert group stresses that unsafe sex is primary mode 
of HIV transmission in Africa."

This press release misrepresents the discussions and decisions at the 
meeting. After extensive discussion towards the end of the day, the 
first point we agreed was that more attention was due to health care 
safety, both as a human rights issue and to reduce HIV transmission. 
Concerning the proportions of HIV from sex and unsafe health care, we 
agreed to disagree; new evidence presented at the meeting supported 
both sides, there was a general call for more evidence, and discus-
sions were inconclusive. We agreed as well that sex was a risk, and 
that it was appropriate to continue programs to help people under-
stand and reduce HIV transmission through sex.

The press release contains at least one dangerous factual error -- 
dangerous for African children -- when it asserts that "children be-
tween 5-14 years have very low infection rates." This is not so, 
unless one chooses to disregard an immense amount of evidence from 
1985 through 2002. The meeting saw evidence showing hundreds of thou-
sands of unexplained HIV infections in 2-14 year old children in one 
African country, unexpected high rates of HIV in children in other 
African countries, and many studies showing HIV+ children with HIV- 
mothers. This evidence points to risks for children in some African 
countries from unsafe health care.

Fortunately, the meeting provided a forum for scientific debate about 
epidemiology of HIV in Africa. Hopefully further sharing of informa-
tion and increased scientific exchange will help this debate to move 
forward. In the area of prevention, however, the meeting has fallen 
short, since the press release misinforms the public about important 
discussions concerning non-sexual risks for HIV. The WHO Constitution 
recognizes that "Informed opinion and active cooperation on the part 
of the public are of utmost importance in the improvement of the 
health of the people." Hopefully WHO/UNAIDS will soon clarify the 
situation with a more accurate record of discussions at the meeting 
and/or clarifications about increased efforts to prevent HIV trans-
mission in health care settings.

Considering the tenuous relationship between the press release and 
the proceedings, it is noteworthy that the press release was posted 
before the meeting ended.

David Gisselquist
mailto:david_gisselquist@yahoo.com

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