[dawn53]

Then what accounts for the rapid spread of AIDS in Africa? I was under the impression that it was being spread in the heterosexual community as much as in the homosexual community.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

From what I've read, a macho taboo against admitting to such affairs. Apparently, that type of affair is much higher than previously thought, but no one wants to admit it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Then what accounts for the rapid spread of AIDS in Africa? I was under the impression that it was being spread in the heterosexual community as much as in the homosexual community.

---

In third world nations where open genital sores are commonplace (and a mark of pride, for men), along with promiscuity, there is a vastly different mode of transmission.

The cure for AIDS in Africa is...
...penicillin.

[TheOracleAtLilac]

Then what accounts for the rapid spread of AIDS in Africa?

Consider this: Inadequate medical care (of any kind) throughout SubSaharan Africa - so how a diagnosis of AIDS ?

Simple - all deaths (malarial, starvation, etc) are attributed to AIDS (w/ no clinical confirmation)

Pile on that WHO's "estimate" of AIDS cases

Why ? there's money/sympathy in AIDS - $0 in malarial treatment/prevention.

[LibFreeOrDie]

The rate of AIDS in Africa is due to many factors:
1. Misdiagnosis, as pointed out by another FReeper.
2. Bad medical practices involving needle reuse in hospitals and clinics.
3. Unregulated surgery.
4. Higher rates of anal sex among hetero partners.

From the British Medical Journal:

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/326/7387/466/a

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/326/7387/466/a#30126