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| Sunday, 27 November 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Health Guide World AIDS Day December 1 STOP AIDS: Be faithful to you by Shanika Sriyananda If someone asks you how much do you trust your partner, what will be your answer ? With the 'weight' of your love to him, you will definitely say "I trust him hundred per cent". Not only girlfriends and wives even a prostitute will give the same answer. She will trust her customer who 'loves' her for her flesh just for a very short period of time. And they will never think, that they will be 'injected' with a deadly virus, by their trustworthy and faithful partners for which there is no cure yet.
But, out of the total women infected with HIV/AIDS, 90 per cent were 'gifted' with the killer disease by their partners, whom the innocent women thought they were faithful to them. This is the time, according to health experts, to double check or think twice about the so-called 'faithfulness' of the 'partners'. The truth is that day by day more women around the world become victims of this killer disease AIDS - due to the 'unfaithfulness' of their 'faithful' partners. Even in this modern era, amidst the strong voices of women's rights activists, women in many countries are still helpless and live with no power to raise their voices against any injustices. Not only women but also young girls are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to the 'unfaithful' behaviour of men. Studies have shown that women can be 2.5 times more likely to be HIV-infected as their male counterparts. This is due to inadequate knowledge about HIV-AIDS, insufficient access to HIV prevention services, inability to negotiate safer sex, and lack of female controlled HIV prevention methods. However, still there is a clamour for granting women's rights in sexual activities to safeguard their lives from all forms of diseases. In many developing countries most women do not have the freedom to use family planning methods or they lack the courage to restrain from sexual activities and are compelled to satisfy their partners bearing the risk. Now AIDS disease has become a pandemic and the World Health Organisation estimates that the number of AIDS cases which stood at 2.5 million in 1993, will be sky-rocketted from 30 to 40 million cases by the end of this decade, if effective measures are not implemented. The growing number of women becoming AIDS patients has now become a severe threat to every country, as this phenomenon will mainly affect the future generation. UNAIDS recent report states that more than 3 million people died of AIDS related illnesses in 2005 and of these more than 500,000 were children. The number of children becoming orphans is also taking similar figures. The program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) has given priority to prevent, reduce the spread of HIV infection, and to address social, economic, gender and racial inequities that increases vulnerability to the disease. Another objective of the ICPD in preventing the spread of AIDS is to ensure that HIV infected individuals have adequate medical care and are not discriminated against, and ensure their rights in sexual and reproductive health. At a recent seminar organised by the Health Education Bureau, consultant venereologist of the National STD/AIDS Control Program Dr. Kulasiri Buddhikorala said 'silence' among women about women's rights and stigma over HIV/AIDS patients should be lifted, to give a proper care to these victims. He warned women and men about their faithful partners and said there is no 'faith' when it comes to sex, but the need is to limit sex to your husband or wife. Also limit all other sexual activities and try to use condoms to safeguard lives from the deadly curse." Meanwhile Dr. Shantha Hettiarachchi of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Project said it was sad to see a trend of more and more married women who had sexual relationship only with their husbands, being infected with HIV/AIDS. "We talk about Abstinence, be faithful and Use Condoms (ABC) as prevention of AIDS. But, today we can't rely on 'faith' any more" he said. In 2002, September 168 women had been infected with HIV and in 2005 end September it increased to 295 in Sri Lanka. Showing statistics to prove the upward trend in HIV/AIDS cases Dr. Hettiarachchi said, since 1986 to September 2005, reported HIV cases were 712 and AIDS cases were 200. Nearly 200 Sri Lankans have died of AIDS and the estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases are above 3500. "Still social stigma prevents the victims to come forward for treatment. This has prevented them getting equal treatment just as other patients. When they come to a clinic we can give proper guidance with necessary treatment protecting their confidentially" he said. However, he emphasised the need of making people more aware about the HIV/AIDS and educating their rights, especially giving a sound awareness to women, who are now at a greater risk. You may already know from A to Z about HIV/AIDS but here is another chance to refresh your knowledge about this killer disease. *** Here are some frequently asked questions about HIV/AIDS. What is HIV? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. Where did HIV come from? The earliest known case of HIV-1 in a human was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1999, an international team of researchers reported that they had discovered the origins of HIV-1, the predominant strain of HIV in the developed world. A sub-species of chimpanzees native to west equatorial Africa had been identified as the original source of the virus. The researchers believe that HIV-1 was introduced into the human population when hunters became exposed to infected blood. What is AIDS? It is called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Acquired - means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).Immunodeficiency - means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system. Syndrome - refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person's immune system. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards What causes AIDS? AIDS is caused by infection with a virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. How does HIV cause AIDS? HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cell (CD4+ T cells) which is crucial to the normal function of the human immune system. In fact, loss of these cells in people with HIV is an extremely powerful predictor of the development of AIDS. Studies of thousands of people have revealed that most people infected with HIV carry the virus for years before enough damage is done to the immune system for AIDS to develop. However, sensitive tests have shown a strong connection between the amount of HIV in the blood and the decline in CD4+ T cells and the development of AIDS. Reducing the amount of virus in the body with anti-retroviral therapies can dramatically slow the destruction of a person's immune system. How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS? Prior to 1996, scientists estimated that about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. This time varied greatly from person to person and depended on many factors, including a person's health status and their health-related behaviours. Since 1996, the introduction of powerful anti-retroviral therapies has dramatically changed the progression time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS. There are also other medical treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS, though the treatments do not cure AIDS itself. How long after a possible exposure should a person wait to get tested for HIV? It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the antibody test to detect and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the "window period". Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 2 to 8 weeks (the average is 25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some individuals will take longer to develop detectable antibodies. Therefore, if the initial negative HIV test was conducted within the first 3 months after possible exposure, repeat testing should be considered >3 months after the exposure occurred to account for the possibility of a false-negative result. Ninety seven percent will develop antibodies in the first 3 months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to 6 months to develop antibodies to HIV. Where can you get tested for HIV infection? There are 26 clinics set up at government hospitals to provide services for these patients. The free of charge service will cover testing, education on HIV/AIDS and treatment. The medical officers at will keep all the data about each patient very confidential. The most important thing is that the patients who are qualified to get anti-retroviral drugs will be given free-of-charge in these clinics. Breast-feeding arrests child mortality rate With great encouragement and widespread awareness about the importance of breast-feeding the new born baby for more than six-months, the bottle feeding is fading day by day. Even the 'very busy' mothers in the Western world try their best to feed their babies with natural milk that is rich with the vitamins and minerals that they need to grow healthy. The most vital is that breastmilk which contains antibodies will help to protect babies from most of the childhood illnesses.
According to the International Conference on 'Population and Development' (ICPD), poverty, malnutrition, a decline in breast-feeding and inadequacy or lack of sanitation and health facilities are the major factors that contribute to high infant and child mortality. Though the infant and child mortality rates have now been reduced considerably compared to decades before the ICPD which intended to bring this rates further down, has set down three major objectives. The third most important objective mentioned in the list is the promotion of breast-feeding as a child survival strategy. Sri Lanka, which is a signatory of the ICPD, is obliged to implement actions targets to improve the quality of human health to have healthy future population. According to ICDP actions, it targets to reduce infant mortality rate below 35 per 1,000 live births and an under-5 mortality rate below 45 per 1,000 by 2015. However, it says that the countries that achieve these levels earlier should strive to lower them further. At this point Sri Lanka is far ahead and achieved significant success rate. Breast-feeding is not a new strategy to our mothers and for centuries breast-feeding a new born was a tradition in our culture. But with the Western influence and change in women's role, where they equally support the family in earning paved the way to popularise bottle-feeding. However, heeding to various studies by local experts and international organisations which showed the importance of promoting breast-feeding the Health Ministry drew several positive steps to promote the miracle natural milk, where there is still no a substitute even in this so-called modern era. The ICPD, in its strategy, emphasised that breast-feeding should be promoted and supported to give the best nutrition and protect infant and children against a range of diseases. It states in its Program of Action, that by means of legal, economic, practical and emotional support, mothers should be enabled to breast-feed their infants exclusively from four to six months. It also recommends only breast milk and to avoid any food or drink in their first six months. The most important thing is the ICPD, here emphasises the importance of continuing breast-feeding the baby with sufficient and suitable complementary food until he or she is two-year-old or beyond. So, you may be planning to have your first baby. Here is some 'food for thought' to make breast-feeding a must and a priority in your future plans. Remember your body is getting ready to breast feed your baby from the moment you are pregnant. Here are some main benefits apart from protection against many illnesses that you can offer your tiny tot by feeding him with breast milk. * Your baby will be better protected from eczema or a wheezy chest. * Many researches proved that breastfed babies have higher IQs as well as better brain and nervous system development. * The bondage between you and your baby will grow when you breast-feed your baby. * Always remember your milk is bespoke for your own baby and it is perfectly suited to baby's needs. Colostrum (super-nutritious milk) is ready and waiting from about halfway through your pregnancy. Very soon after your baby is born, the milk producing hormones kick in and you will be able to feed your baby as soon as you feel able to. Within next few days your body will then produce proper breastmilk to replace colostrum. The milk that comes through at the beginning of a feed is called foremilk and is rich in protein and will quench your baby's thirst. The richer, hindmilk will come later and this has more fat and calories to satisfy your baby's hunger. Your body will naturally produce enough milk to feed your baby, so do not worry about her going hungry. (SS) |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Thanks to several steps taken by the health authorities infant mortality
rate has reduced to a greater extent today. The infant mortality rate (per
1000) which stood at 47.5 in 1970s has been reduced to 11.2 in 2003 showing
a magnificent progress in the facilities and programs that were introduced
to promote child health in the country. Survival rate of children in a
country is a main indicator of the high life expectancy level. 
