[afro-nets] Africans Do Not See AIDS As A Dire Problem (2)

[Edward Kunonga <ecunos@yahoo.com>]

Africans Do Not See AIDS As A Dire Problem (2)
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Whilst I agree with the finding of the survey, a number of is-
sues have to be elaborated on. The survey was done in Southern
and East Africa, but not much information is given on the study
population or their characteristics and representativeness of
the population. Much of the issues with HIV and AIDS in Africa
are to do with exposure to and or awareness of information. Ob-
viously the less aware the people are of the effects HIV is hav-
ing not only at a community level but at a larger scale i.e. na-
tional level the less they are going to be interested in review-
ing government policy on HIV. In terms of policy some areas have
other priority issues which have a direct impact and effect and
hence lobby for government involvement in these issues more than
they do for HIV and AIDS.

Thus they would not be willing to have funds diverted to AIDS
prevention or treatment (e.g. diverting funds for a rural elec-
trification programme to HIV prevention may not be viewed appro-
priate if one is not HIV positive but is need of electricity in
their rural home) other issues are to do with stigmatisation and
the fact that in some countries despite increased awareness of
AIDS the disease is still not very accepted socially and local
people would rather not be involved in debates or government
lobbying for it.

The paper does raise issues of information dissemination on the
impact of HIV on a large scale. It would be interesting though
to get a more detailed report of the survey before one can gen-
eralise the results to 'Africans' as the sampling may not be
representative and methodology may have sources of bias. A sam-
ple of 23,000 people for 15 countries (an average of 1,533 peo-
ple per country) may not be enough to demonstrate the problem
even if one exists. However it is an interesting survey with is-
sues which African governments and stakeholders in HIV preven-
tion and treatment would do well to consider. Researchers could
may be take this up and conduct the study at a larger scale i.e.
at a national rather than regional level.

Edward Kunonga
MSc Epidemiology student (LSHTM)
mailto:ecunos@yahoo.com