Armed forces hit by HIV - Africa

[dArKeR]

HIV/Aids is devastating Africa's armed forces in a wave of HIV infections driven largely by foreign peacekeeping missions, according to new research.

The disease has overtaken combat and malaria as the leading cause of death among soldiers and sailors.

Western diplomats and military officials have expressed alarm that sub-Saharan countries will be left without the means to tackle insurgencies, disorder and terrorism.

http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=117640

[tlcandie]

1. Wow! Sorry to sound so cynical, but this seems something that

would be right up this regime's list of positive things to happen in the world possibly by chemical/bio warfare?

Easy killing/clearing of those darkies so the whites can take over all resources if you ask me, but then again, I guess you would need a :tinfoilhat: for that one!

:bounce:

Btw, so very, very sad!! So depressing the world that we've become. :cry:

[Judi Lynn]

2. You're not alone here! It same thing occurred to me. Sad.

They'll definitely be far more vulnerable than ever before. This would be irresistible to certain kinds of exploitive people.

[Eye and Monkey]

3. "peacekeeping missions" is a somewhat inaccurate euphemism

While HIV is spread during the more genuine peacekeeping missions, stating that "a wave of HIV infections driven largely by foreign peacekeeping missions" - this moves considerably further toward misinformation.

It would perhaps be more accurate to atate the issue as "a wave of HIV infections (among African militaries) driven largely by the use of war to generate personal profit".

But then of course that phrase might require some REAL explanantion of events.

[geek tragedy]

4. This was completely predictable

given the way HIV has spread in Africa. Peacekeepers either take the disease with them or bring it back.

And silly conspiracy theories only make the problem worse by creating a false evil white bogeyman and thus shifting attention away from the real problems and solutions. Education is the only cure that will work.

[Eye and Monkey]

5. there are plenty of all-too-real "evil white bogeymen" involved -

in the uses of war in Africa. There's truly no need to fabricate any.

[geek tragedy]

7. The fact remains

that evil white men are not spreading HIV amongst Africans. The only way to prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa is education.

[Eye and Monkey]

9. Fact? perhaps you don't understand the definition of the word "fact".

Perhaps you don't understand the complexity of the issues surrounding the word "spreading".

And, of course, education as the ONLY way? - perhaps you believe in that one magic silver bullet. I know that the solution requires a great bit more than that.

[geek tragedy]

11. The only way to stop the spread of HIV

is for infected people to stop engaging in risky behavior.

The difference between Uganda and South Africa is political and societal commitment to change the behaviors that lead to the spread of HIV.

[Eye and Monkey]

12. Again, this "only" perspective?

I think you're missing the complexity.

Since you brought up specific countries -

* Perhaps you can elaborate on the context of the HIV situation in Uganda and specifically summarize the behavior change there.

* Perhaps you could then more broadly demonstrate why - or why not - the situations in Uganda and South Africa could be compared.

[geek tragedy]

14. Uganda

took a proactive approach to AIDS starting in the 1980's and treated it as a national struggle. The government heavily pushed an ABC program: Abstinence, Behavior change (monogamy), and Condom usage.

Its AIDS infection rate plummeted to a very low and stable rate, by subSaharan African standards.

Mbeki's failure to address the issue in a responsible manner until it was too late cost thousands and thousands of people their lives. While Uganda's HIV infection rate was declining, South Africa's was skyrocketing.

[Eye and Monkey]

15. in the 1980's? Really?

are you quite sure?

[geek tragedy]

17. Check this link

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol15no1/151aid12.htm

<snip>
Uganda has recorded declining rates of HIV infection since 1993. Although HIV prevalence among pregnant women rose from 24 per cent in 1989 to 30 per cent in 1992, by 1999 it had dropped to 10 per cent, according to the latest figures from the AIDS Control Programme (ACP) in the Ministry of Health. Among patients suffering from sexually transmitted diseases at Uganda's leading hospital, Mulago, HIV infection rates fell from 44.2 per cent in 1989 to 23 per cent in 1999.

This achievement can be attributed to four factors, according to Dr. Joshua Musinguzi, the acting programme manager of ACP: the high level of political commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS, openness about the epidemic, involvement of all sections of society and the government policy of decentralization. Even President Yoweri Museveni "got engaged in the fight early and encouraged other political leaders to do so," Dr Musinguzi told Africa Recovery.
In 1986, the same year Mr. Museveni came to power, the government launched the ACP to spearhead the struggle against HIV/AIDS. The programme's objectives, according to Dr. Musinguzi, were to prevent further transmission of HIV, create mechanisms to care for the infected and their families and create the capacity to contain the epidemic. "The backbone of our programme was information, education and communication. We had to make people aware of the problem and translate this awareness into behavioural change," said Dr. Musinguzi.
<snip>

[Eye and Monkey]

18. You do understand that UN reports and the situation on the ground -

- frequently reflect different realities?

Take one sentence - the second in your quote:
"Although HIV prevalence among pregnant women rose from 24 per cent in 1989 to 30 per cent in 1992, by 1999 it had dropped to 10 per cent, according to the latest figures from the AIDS Control Programme (ACP) in the Ministry of Health."

The measure of "prevalence among pregnant women" would by nature only include those presenting for healthcare. Are you conversant enough to discuss the potential problems associated with relying on Uganda MoH statistics? Of course, you understand that the erosion of the validity of the measure also erodes the claim.

About the claim that HIV education was embraced by Museveni in '86 - well, yes, and George W. Bush announced billions in HIV/AIDS medication funding some time ago, as well.:eyes:

[geek tragedy]

19. Of course there are no perfect sources of information

but Uganda is universally regarded as a success story in fighting the spread of AIDS.

If you have information that suggests otherwise, go right ahead. I won't hold my breath.

But there is no rational reason for doubting that Uganda's approach has played a role in reducing the spread of AIDS there.

[Eye and Monkey]

20. You've tried to shunt this story away from your "evil white bogeymen"...

The ones that you claim don't exist. I've simply followed you. And to some extent, countered your off-subject sound-bytes.

As for your point that Uganda is widely considered a success story...hmmm, yes, Uganda is widely considered the "Pearl of Africa" as well. Nonetheless, the population of northern Uganda, much less the million-plus IDPs upcountry - I doubt that they are feeling very pearlescent.

Do you have any idea what the HIV/AIDS situation is in upcountry Uganda? Do you know if the spread of HIV there is driven directly - or at all - by "foreign peacekeepers"?

I have to admit that it is almost certain that I have you at an extreme disadvantage in this discussion.

My best advice would be to open your mind past what you have already read, and read more. If you've a mind to, go - you'll see something very different from the circumstances of your reading.

On edit: you might want to start expanding your viewpoint here - there's another current thread in LBN, perhaps you'll see a relation?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=640776#641163

[geek tragedy]

21. You're providing nothing

but conjecture and vague innuendos.

What are your beliefs? What is your evidence? Do you have a coherent narrative to explain what's going on with AIDS in Africa?

Please tell us how preventing Africans with AIDS from having unprotected sex with uninfected Africans ISN'T the best way to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa.

Given that you haven't demonstrated any knowledge at all, you'll forgive me if I dismiss your ramblings.

Feel free to provide information and an actual argument involving logic--it's never too late to start!

And the "evil white bogeyman" is what's off-topic. Unless you're assuming that the "foreign peacekeepers" aren't from other African states. Which would be patently absurd.

[Eye and Monkey]

22. Okay, so you're convinced that the HIV problem in Africa - ?

is caused by peacekeepers. And risky behavior. Not evil white bogeymen. I've recommended that you look past that opinion, delve a bit deeper. You don't care for the recommendation.

Your loss.

[geek tragedy]

23. The problem isn't

peacekeepers. I don't know what gave you that idea.

It's about behavior, yes. And I've seen nothing to persuade me otherwise.

[Eye and Monkey]

24. Your post, #4. And, of course, the originally cited article.

That's what gave me an idea of your opinion, and the issues of peacekeepers.

And you say - "I've seen nothing to persuade me otherwise".

To which I continue to reply, "you might want to look harder, and in additional places, too. I know that you'll find additional complexities."

[geek tragedy]

25. If you're talking about

the cause of the conflicts themselves, then I'm not going to argue that there isn't a lot of western complicity--either directly or indirectly through the legacy of colonialism.

The peacekeepers are getting AIDS because they're having unprotected sex with the wrong people.

[Eye and Monkey]

26. "Wrong people"? - who are these "wrong people"? and the "right people"?

Who would the "right people" be?

Of course, while you're at it, you might want to try to get clear on "peacekeepers".

[geek tragedy]

27. The wrong people

are people with AIDS. The "right" people would be people that one is certain don't have AIDS.

Not sure where you're going with the whole "peacekeepers" thing--my take is that they're talking about African soldiers who go to other African states as part of peacekeeping missions.

[Eye and Monkey]

28. You're not sure where I'm going with any of this, are you?

I applaud that you seem to have done a bit of reading on some parts of some of the issues involved.

Your use of "wrong and right" in generalizing about people in a large number of complex situations indicates...let's say...an attitude.

As is the case with the other factoids you've brought up, I think that you would find that this attitude might change with additional information. Access to that information is no further than "yahoo search". I know that both attitude and your understanding of the factoids would change with experience on the ground. Please don't ask me to do your learning for you.

[geek tragedy]

29. No clue where you're going with this

That is certainly correct.

[Eye and Monkey]

30. So, for you, it's all "conjecture and vague innuendos" - ?

Pity.

[geek tragedy]

31. Well, come out and say what your stance is

If you don't do that, you're being vague and evasive.

[Eye and Monkey]

32. On the contrary, I've been quite clear.

And I've reiterated my recommendation several times. Yawn.

[ynot]

13. A real response to a real problem

Let us face it, Africa -- the Motherland Continent -- and people of color has served as the western world's experimental laboratory for ages. Failure to acknowledge this fact continues to perpetuate a great myth and is liken to blaming the victim for the crime. The fact is HIV has risen to the level of an epidemic in Africa. Education alone will not reverse this horrible course of events. There is a real need -- in additional to education -- for medical professionals, medications and related health supplies, access to nutritious food, the re-education of political leaders and a real helping hand from the West.

[Eye and Monkey]

16. There we go, addressing your list of needs would be a very good start

[hightime]

6. "false belief that there was a cure for Aids". The virgin baby cure?

I remember a while back it was reported that some in Africa thought having sex with a virgin would cure Aids. To be sure the girl was a virgin, sex with very young children was being practiced.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/a/aids-virgins.htm

http://www.thoughtcontagion.com/TCAIDS.htm

http://www.prcdc.org/summaries/aids/aids.html

[geek tragedy]

8. Welcome to the patriarchy!

Myths that excuse violence and rape committed by men.

[gatlingforme]

10. Indeed. Patriarchal BS is what is driving this BS. Women and

children are paying for it..... :wtf: