HIV Crisis in
Africa:
Botswana
and Kenya
The Valley of Death or Causes for New
Hope?
by Stacey
White, MSN,
MSHA,CRNP
Auburn University Montgomery
School of
Nursing
I have constant pain, and there is no help for
us-just for the rich people-but if I can find someone to look after my children, I can die in peace.
-Lillian M., 38, a
person with AIDS, Nairobi (Human Rights Watch, 2001)
Introduction
The human
immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is of pandemic magnitude. The World
Health Organization has declared AIDS as a global health emergency. Awareness of the serious global
impact has climaxed, taking its place with the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages. The worst is yet to come, for
there are 36 million infected and 22 million deaths from this disease. The percentage of infection has
continued to escalate in Africa over the past decade, almost 80% of the 22 million deaths from AIDS have
occurred in Africa. Experts in the
U.N. and Census Bureau report “the HIV/AIDS pandemic is producing orphans on a scale of unrivaled in world
history” (Human Rights Watch, 2001).
Botswana
The population of Botswana is currently estimated at 1.6 million.
According to UNAIDS, 2001 data, 300,000 or 38.8% of the population in Botswana were infected. Botswana remains the highest proportion of any country in the world (Online Newshour,
2003). Botswana is a very wealthy country, having
diamonds, copper, nickel, cole, iron, and silver as natural resources. The economy primarily relies
upon the diamond mines and is considered quite prosperous utilizing the standards set forth in
Africa. Due to their prosperity, the
country has adopted the goal, availability of anti-retroviral drugs to all citizens in
need.
Botswana’s president, Festus Mogae, is spearheading this
nation’s effort; is considered one of Africa’s robust democracies.
The CIA, 2000 World Factbook states the literacy rate for male is 80.5% and female
59.9%, the total population estimated 69.8%. Due to these literacy rates, it
is very hopeful that a prevention program will be successfully implemented.
Kenya
Kenya is currently ranked ninth highest for
prevalence of HIV. Kenya has 1.25 million adults and 100,000 infected
children. Only 14% know their HIV status. The Center for Disease Control
estimates the total population to be 31.3 million. There were 140,000 deaths in
2003 attributed to AIDS and approximately 890,000 orphans. (Global AIDS Program, Center for Disease Control,
11/2004).
The
people of Kenya are not only
plagued with HIV crisis, but also are battling famine and tuberculosis. The Kenya Food Security
Steering Group (KFSSG) estimate one million Kenyans will be in need of food aid this year. Shortages will be worse in the
East and is a result of poor rainfall for many consecutive years. In 2000, 2.7 million people
were affected by famine. The northwest has a history of sustaining a 40 year drought. Therefore, malnutrition
severely impacts the infected population.
Tuberculosis and malaria also plays a contributory role in this devastating
situation (Tearfund, March 2004).
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