**5. Treatment**

252 Social and Psychological Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Their Ramifications

Several common diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, influenza, measles malnutrition and stress temporarily suppress immune response, but once infection subside immune system returns to normal but in AIDS it does not. Antibodies to HIV form in 1 – 4 months after infection but symptoms may not appear for up to 5 years and beyond in some cases and

Perhaps the most important fact about AIDS is that it is a preventable disease. Ideally, this can be achieved by development of a vaccine, although much effort and money have been directed towards production of a vaccine. However, presently, there is none yet, and, it is unlikely that one will be available within the next five years (National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases (NIAID) 2009). In the absence of a vaccine, health education and counselling to create a sense of awareness and to reduce the risk of transmission by employing safe sex practices and other high risk behaviours, should become imperative (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDCP), 2002). Other factors that may prevent the spread of AIDS includes ensuring a supply of safe blood and blood products, no sharing of needles and syringes and deferment of pregnancy among high risk subjects. Surveillance to monitor the size of the problem and how it changes, is an important component of

In most developing countries, many people are not aware of their HIV status. Less than 1% of sexually active persons in urban Nigeria have been tested for HIV and this proportion is even lower within rural populations (Akande, 2001). Furthermore, a mere 0.5% of pregnant women who attend urban health facilities are counselled, tested or receive their test results. In fact, this proportion is even lower in rural health facilities. Hence, donor blood and blood products that are used in medicine and medical research, are screened for HIV (Nunn, *et al.*, 2004). A typical HIV test, including the HIV Enzyme Immunoassay (EI) and the Western Blot Assay (WBA), detects HIV antibodies in serum, plasma, oral fluid, dried blood spot and urine of patients. However, the window period (the time between initial infection and the development of detectable antibodies against the infection), can vary. This is why it can take 3-6 months to seroconvert, test and detect other HIV antigens, HIV-RNA, and HIV-DNA (Scripps Research Institute, n.d). In order to detect HIV infection these assays are not

Three main transmission routes of HIV include sexual contact, exposure to infected body fluids or tissues and from mother to child during the prenatal period. It is possible to find HIV in the saliva, tears and urine of individuals but there have not been recorded cases of infection from these secretions (WHO, 2006). Therefore, the risk of infection through saliva,

A majority of HIV infections are acquired through unprotected sexual contact between partners, one of whom has HIV (UNAID, 2004; Ojukwu, 2004). Sexual intercourse is a

officially approved, but are nonetheless routinely used in some countries.

during these years, a person can transmit the virus to others without knowing.

**4. Prevention** 

prevention (ibid).

**4.2 Transmission** 

**4.3 Sexual contact** 

tears and urine is negligible.

**4.1 HIV test** 

WHO (2004) reported that there is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. The only known methods of prevention are based on avoiding exposure to the virus and an antiretroviral treatment, which, when taken directly after a highly significant exposure, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), has a demanding four week schedule of dosage. Current treatments for HIV infection consist of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This has been highly beneficial to several HIV-infected individuals since its introduction in 1996 (UNAIDS, 2009).

In the first decade of the epidemic when no useful conventional treatment was available, a large number of people who have AIDS experimented with alternative therapies (Nomcebo, 2005). The definition of "alternative therapies" in AIDS has changed since then. During that time, the phrase often referred to community-driven treatments, were untested by government or pharmaceutical company research, and which most people hoped would directly suppress the virus or stimulate immunity against it. Despite widespread use of complementary and alternative medicines by people who live with HIV/AIDS, effectiveness of these therapies has not been established (UNAIDS, 2004).

Treatment of AIDS consists of treatment of the HIV infection and complications, which result from the immune deficiency. A number of chemotherapeutic agents such as Zidovudine or AZT, Ribavirin, Suramin, Foscarnet and HPA- 23 have been used as antiviral agents, with limited success. Thus far, only Zidovudine has been approved for use in several countries, since it has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier. However, it is expensive and toxic to bone marrow.

HIV/AIDS and the Productivity of Selected Sub-Saharan African Regions 255

The population of study comprises countries that have the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. These countries are Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, South

Data for the research was obtained from secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles and the internet. The data collected was analyzed by use of the T-test, which is used when comparing two population means. The formula for finding significant differences

( )( )

Ns N S N N

1 22 1 2

+ +

1 2 2 2

tx x

= −

( )( )

At the end, if the value of the critical value is less than the calculated value, the null

The essence of this presentation and analysis is to ensure that the collected data is meaningful for decision-making. Therefore, this section is the critical aspect of the research, which provides the background upon which the results and conclusion of the study will

(in 000)

Population with HIV/AIDS

Population without HIV/AIDS (in 000)

N N 2 NN

+ −

1 2 12

Africa and Zimbabwe, and were used to reflect rising trends of the epidemic.

**6.1 Population of study** 

**6.2 Method of data collection and analysis** 

Where 1 x = mean of the first group <sup>2</sup> x = means of the second group N1 = number of cases in the first group N2 =number of cases in the second group S1 =standard deviation of the first group S2 =standard deviation of the second group

**6.3 Data presentation and analysis** 

Countries Total Population

Source: Field survey data, 2007.

(in 000)

rest.

Botswana Kenya Zimbabwe South Africa Uganda Total

between two independent means is stated as follows:

In using this formula, the degree of freedom (d.f) is noted.

hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted.

Table 1.1 Countries that have the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS

#### **5.1 Economic impact**

HIV/AIDS retards economic growth by destroying human capital. According to a UN report, HIV/AIDS epidemics will have devastating consequences in decades to come for virtually every sector of society ranging from households, farms and other economic activities (Nomcebo, 2005). The epidemic is predicted to hinder possibility of achieving UN millennium development goals within most affected regions, particularly sub Saharan Africa (Todaro, 1992).
