AIDS leave 9 million children orphan in Africa

[contemplative]

AIDS leave 9 million children orphan in Africa

Reuters

Updated: 1:16 p.m. ET March 20, 2006
JOHANNESBURG - Some 9 million children in Africa have lost a mother to AIDS, British charity Save the Children said Monday, calling on donors to sharply increase aid to meet their needs.

“Incredibly, the impact of HIV and AIDS on children is still being ignored,” Save the Children Chief Executive Jasmine Whitbread said in a statement.

article

Africa’s problems are compounding as the East African drought worsens.

Are these orphaned children infected with AIDS as well?

 

[Guar_Fan]

contemplative:

Are these orphaned children infected with AIDS as well?

I don’t have statistics but my impression is that most AIDS orphans in Africa are HIV free. A 2004 study suggested that 15% of orphans are 0-4 years old, 35% are 5-9 years old, and 50% are 10-14 years old. But these children suffer from the stigma of AIDS, with villagers and extended family more reluctant to extend the shelter and aid traditionally given to orphans.

And they are more at risk for contracting HIV because of malnourishment, because they are victimized by adults, and generally lead a hardscrabble existence which makes them prone to engage in the vices which promote HIV transmission.

 

[Morning_Glory]

Guar Fan:

And they are more at risk for contracting HIV because of malnourishment, because they are victimized by adults, and generally lead a hardscrabble existence which makes them prone to engage in the vices which promote HIV transmission.

**
Good point. I don’t think a lot of people realize that malnourishment is one of the main reasons that AIDS is so rampant (in terms of the death toll) in Africa.**