A TRANSMITTABLE DISEASE AIDS

WHY AIDS? Geographers are concerned with the Geography of AIDS because it has not spread evenly throughout the world and thus resources to cope with the management of AIDS varies between areas. Understanding the Geography of AIDS helps to make sense of the social, cultural and economic impact it is likely to have across the world and within different countries.

AQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) AIDS is the result of a viral infection brought about by the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Origin of virus is subject of much debate Some believe virus is a man-made disease, produced from some chemical weapons laboratory. Others think that it spread from the animal population (probably monkeys) to man in Africa.

HOW IS AIDS SPREAD? Exchange of body fluids during sexual intercourse From mother to child during pregnancy and breast feeding Via contaminated blood transfusions Sharing needles and syringes in drug abuse

DISTRIBUTION There are 3 main patterns of distribution: 1. Countries that began the spread in the late 1970’s, mainly among the homosexual, bisexual and drug- using communities. Heterosexual spread is increasing. This covers North America, Latin America, western Europe and Australia.

Pattern 2 Countries where the spread has been essentially through heterosexual contact. This covers the bulk of sub – Saharan Africa.

PATTERN 3 Countries where the spread was later in the 1980s, brought in by travellers and in imported blood for transfusions. This covers eastern Europe, all of Asia, the middle East and north Africa.

Worldwide situation Estimates of between 34-40million people that are living today with HIV of full blown AIDS 70% of these live in sub –Saharan Africa In 2000 North America had people with the disease. Western Europe had (1.5% of world total)

Evidence for frequency and scale Medical records (from doctors and hospitals) National government health department records The media Can we trust the figures?

Why can’t we trust these figures? Medical records are confidential to the patient Many people with HIV are not aware that they are infected The social stigma of AIDS means that many sufferers do not report the illness until it is into its late stages AIDS is not always given as the cause of death because the sufferer may have died from another related disease It has been suggested that the disease has been over estimated in Africa in order to obtain money from wealthier governments and charities.

Effects The United Nations has estimated that 9/10 sufferers do not know they have the virus in the early days of infection Most do not die of AIDS itself but from other diseases which they are unable to fight off. An important effect is the attitude of other people to the disease. Sufferers may experience prejudice in terms of their employment and social life. This may extend to the immediate family;there have been cases where children have been ostracised because one of their parents had the disease.

Management…prevention By plotting the course of an outbreak, it may be possible to predict the future spread of AIDS and to identify areas where resources should be concentrated. With AIDS, the 1 st stage would be to try to prevent the disease totally by seeking a vaccine. Research can also be directed towards alleviating symptoms through the use of anti-retroviral drug treatments, thereby extending the lifespan of those with the virus.

Management… protection Many countries hope to prevent the spread of the disease through education and advertising campaigns, particularly by targeting vulnerable groups such as homosexuals and IV drug users. Raising the profile of the disease in schools through sex education has been a major feature in the UK Other campaigns include free needles for drug users, free condoms,blood screening and warnings to tourists about their behaviour in foreign countries.

Response.. Looking after people with the disease and their families has become the responsibility of many agencies. In the UK several charities are involved, including the Terrence Higgins trust and London Lighthouse.