AIDS In Africa Speech

496 Words1 Page

AIDS In Africa Speech

Africa continues to dwarf the rest of the world in how the region has

been affected by AIDS. Africa is home to 70% of the adults and 80% of

the children living with HIV in the world. According to the UNAIDS

report, the estimated number of newly infected adults and children in

Africa reached 3.5 million at the end of 2001. The HIV/AIDS epidemic

in Africa will not be stopped with drugs and "abstinence only"

education, Sex education and condom availability are required for this

battle.

As for means of protection against HIV/AIDS, one of the biggest

obstacles is a lack of availability of condoms in most of the

continent. The availability of condoms and promptness in diagnosing

and curing other sexually transmitted diseases, which if left

untreated can increase the risk acquiring HIV/AIDS through sex. In

sub-Saharan Africa alone there is only an average of 4.6 condoms per

man per year, so providing another 1.9 billion condoms could have a

huge impact on the epidemic. According to UNAIDS report, the

availability and use of condoms in Uganda has brought its estimated

prevalence rate down to around 8% from a peak close to 14% in the

early 1990s. Condoms, if used consistently and correctly, can provide

a high level of protection against these transmissible infections.

Condoms not only prevent HIV/AIDS but can also help control Africa's

growing population challenge.

Another one of the biggest obstacles is the lack of sex education in

the continent. Unlike the western culture, most African countries

never talk frankly about sex. Most people were inquiring about "sex"

because it was so "hidden". Curiosity got the best of them and the

exploration of many sexual partners became "popular". Two of my close

friends who decided to explore with the rest of the uninformed people,

died from AIDS six years ago. These people were not educated on the

necessary preventive measures needed to protect themselves from

HIV/AIDS and other STD diseases. According to UNAIDS, the infection is

still rising in sub-Saharan Africa because what is being done for

More about AIDS In Africa Speech

Open Document