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Abstract
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi - putting the epidemic into context
L. Heaton1, T. Fowler1, M. Palamuleni2
Background: Since its beginnings in the early 1980s, the HIV epidemic in Malawi is worsening. We provide context to the HIV epidemic in Malawi by exploring sociocultural and socioeconomic dimensions that help to explain its severity.
Methods: We analyze trends in HIV prevalence and behavioral surveillance from the U.S. Census Bureau’s HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data Base and the Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys, respectively. Malawi also recently completed a population-based survey that included HIV testing. We explore the demographic impact of HIV/AIDS using the U.S. Census Bureau’s recently completed estimates and projections results. We investigate issues such as gender, health, household dynamics, cultural practices and belief systems, migratory movement, and the economy. We do this through extensive reviews of the literature, both published and unpublished. The Malawian National HIV/AIDS Policy and Strategic Framework is discussed along with efforts made by both government and other entities to control the epidemic. We conclude with a review of possible scenarios on the future course of the epidemic based on modeling work that the U.S. Census Bureau has done.
Results: The epidemic appears to have stabilized, with broad awareness of preventive measures and a curtailment in some risky sexual behaviors. But the demographic impact is profound. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa, making the epidemic that much more of a challenge to control. Households are facing persistent food shortages while already being strained by the effects of AIDS deaths. The health sector is losing trained personnel through attrition and death. However, Malawi has a national policy and strategic framework in place and the government is strengthening its efforts.
Conclusions: In this paper, we investigate the many facets of the HIV epidemic in Malawi, examining possible future demographic outcomes and what they may mean for the Malawian population.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC0062
Suggested Citation
"L.Heaton, et al.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi - putting the epidemic into context.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC0062"
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