[Polycarp]

The one exception to the generally dismal state of primary health care in Africa is Western-funded Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs targeting women. African medical workers are taught (and paid) to emphasize reproductive health procedures (contraception, sterilization, and abortion), often to the near exclusion of primary health care. Poorly equipped clinics are kept well-supplied with Depo-Provera, IUDs, and condoms. According to Dr. Stephen Karanja, the former Secretary of the Kenyan Medical Association, “Thousands of the Kenyan people will die of malaria whose treatment costs a few cents, in health facilities whose stores are stacked to the roof with millions of dollars worth of pills, IUDs, Norplant, Depo-Provera, most of which are supplied with American money.”(3)

Is it mere coincidence that the same groups that are targeted for invasive procedures are disproportionately afflicted with AIDS? We think not. Women and girls account for such a high percentage of HIV/AIDS victims in Africa because they are infected during procedures designed to disable their reproductive systems and prevent them from conceiving or bearing children. Up to 70% of HIV infections in Africa, according to a recently published study in the peer-reviewed International Journal of STD and AIDS, occur as a result of substandard health care, primarily HIV transmission through reuse of needles.(4)

[RAT Patrol]

Wow, this is quite a charge:

Up to 70% of HIV infections in Africa, according to a recently published study in the peer-reviewed International Journal of STD and AIDS, occur as a result of substandard health care, primarily HIV transmission through reuse of needles.(4)

If it's true, don't expect to hear about it on broadcast news or any newspaper near you.

[Servant of the Nine]

TIN FOIL HAT TIME

So9

[RonF]

These results are surprising because they appear to contradict what we know about human sexual behavior. Cross-culturally, men are more promiscuous than women. They have more sexual partners before marriage and higher rates of marital infidelity. Moreover, some of their numbers patronize prostitutes, who are a prime vector for AIDS transmission. These are all behaviors which expose men to a greater risk of sexually contracting HIV/AIDS.

Actually, from what I can see, these results are supported by what we know about human sexual behavior, and about AIDS. If an HIV-infected man are able to impose themselves on multiple women, and if (as is known), male to female transmissions of HIV is much more efficient than female to male transmission of HIV, then you'd expect to see many more women than men have HIV infection in such a population. And that's what we see.

While non-sexual transmission of AIDS in Africa is very likely a serious problem, blaming it, and blaming the specific procedures of contraception as spreading them, is conjecture at best.

[LizardQueen]

These results are surprising because they appear to contradict what we know about human sexual behavior. Cross-culturally, men are more promiscuous than women. They have more sexual partners before marriage and higher rates of marital infidelity. Moreover, some of their numbers patronize prostitutes, who are a prime vector for AIDS transmission. These are all behaviors which expose men to a greater risk of sexually contracting HIV/AIDS.

What the author conveniently forgets is that in any given encounter with an infected partner the women will always be at higher risk of infection than the man simply due to being the receptive partner.

HIV is most easily transmitted through minute breaks in the skin, exposing the blood supply to the virus. This is more likely to occur in womens vaginal mucosa than on the mans genitalia during sex.

And if what I've heard is true, that there is a preference in Africa for "dry" sex, this would make it even more likely to occur due to damage to the women's tissues.

So I wouldn't be surprised at all to see more women infected than men given the same amount of exposure.

LQ

[CanadianBacon]

If you believe this garbage, you would believe Baghdad Bob when he said the Iraqis were winning, and you would believe that man never set foot on the moon.

I have first hand knowledge of male dominant and promiscuous African customs and behavior that are so totally inconsistent with this thesis. Tribal chieftains do what they want to whomever they want.

I worry about the future of Africa because of AIDS and I worry that steps to help deal with the problem get hampered by foolish theories like this.

[Coleus]

`

[A. Pole]

Women and girls account for such a high percentage of HIV/AIDS victims in Africa because they are infected during procedures designed to disable their reproductive systems and prevent them from conceiving or bearing children.

Or is it matter of false reporting? (To get funding)

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

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[<1/1,000,000th%]

Good post!