W.Cape plots HIV rates by district
Despite the overall low levels of HIV prevalence in the Western Cape, some urban areas within the province have HIV prevalence rates of almost 30 percent.
Health
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Fighting FAS together
The effort to prevent Foetal Alcohol Syndrome in South Africa and elsewhere requires strong partnerships among government, non-governmental organizations and communities.
Abstain – for baby’s sake
South Africa has one of the highest rates in the world of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome - a condition that retards growth and can cause permanent brain damage to unborn babies. Prevention is simple - pregnant mothers should avoid alcohol.
Hospice’s holistic approachLiving with AIDS #192
When it comes to HIV/AIDS in South Africa there is no shortage of heartbreaking stories. But there are also many life-affirming testimonies about remarkable people making a difference. Among these are the staff and volunteers of Hospice in 60 branches around the country who offer holistic care not only to patients sick with AIDS, but to their families as well.
MSF’€™s Dr Herman Reuter honoured
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) doctor Herman Reuter has been presented with the Pierre Jacque Rural Doctor of the Year Award for his tireless work in Lusikisiki.
One in four pregnant women HIV positive
Government'€™s long-awaited antenatal survey,
a measure of the maturity of the country'€™s HIV epidemic, was released
this week. Although there was no statistically significant increase, the rates
remain high.
A comprehensive, creative response Living with AIDS #191
The multiple impacts of HIV/AIDS on our society requires an imaginative response. In the rural areas outside White River in Mpumalanga, the Masoyi Home Based Care project co-ordinates a variety of activities to enable the community to respond to the challenges created by HIV/AIDS and poverty.
Monitoring AIDS treatment in South Africa
The health department aims to provide 53 000 people with AIDS treatment by March of 2005. At present, about 8000 people are receiving free antiretroviral therapy in the public health sector. Health-e spoke to Dennis Matwa of the Treatment Action Campaign about the Civil Society Monitoring Forum launched recently to monitor the government'€™s Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Treatment Plan.
Stigma blocks services to men who have sex with menLiving with AIDS # 190
A lack of targeted prevention and sexual health services puts men who have sex with men at a disproportionately greater risk of contracting HIV than the rest of the population. That is according to a pilot study conducted by Wits University's Peri-natal HIV Research Unit.
Opinion: Striving for cheaper drugs and transparency
Consumers using prescription drugs are confused and it'€™s hardly surprising. The health department recently implemented a range of regulations to reduce the price of prescription medicines and to ensure transparency. Opposition from pharmacists has added to the confusion and, in some instances, a hike in drug prices.
The loneliness of Zwe
For the past 18 months since he was 14, Zwe has been parenting his two younger brothers. Parliament is discussing the Children'€™s Bill at present, and grappling with how to deal with child-headed households
Legal dilemma of child-headed households
Currently, around 3 out of 100 South African households are estimated to be child-headed, but the number is growing. How best to protect them is one of the issues Parliament must consider in finalising the provisions of the Children'€™s Bill.
Defining Uganda’€™s successLiving with AIDS # 189
Uganda'€™s efforts to reduce its HIV prevalence rate from a high 18% to 6% in a population of 24 million has earned it the title of Africa'€™s success story in the fight against AIDS. But, as Health-e News Service reports, activists are concerned that Uganda'€™s success story might breed complacency.
School for AIDS
HIV positive children are often discriminated against in schools if their HIV status is known, but the South African Children'€™s Rights Bill stipulates that children have a right to be protected against unfair discrimination. Health-e visited a crèche that accepts only HIV positive children in Khayelitsha and compiled this report.
Catching cancer early
The most common cancers affecting women are breast and cervical cancer. A regular pap smear can help women detect cervical cancer early when effective treatment is possible.