Lecture 31 HIV/AIDS Flashcards
Why is HIV/AIDS a problem?
Although the epidemic has lasted many decades, it is still very prevalent in the world (most problematic non communicable disease)
How did HIV/AIDS first spread?
It first spread among homosexual men, leading to them becoming advocates to health policies
What do we know about HIV?
- There are several modes of transmission, this has helped with facilitating prevention
- There are now cheap and reliable HIV specific screening tests
- We know that HIV/AIDS is caused by HIV
- There are now better treatment options which improves life expectancy for those with AIDS
- There is still not a vaccine
40 million people have died from the disease
What is the rates of HIV/AIDS globally?
Most cases are in sub-Saharan African countries/ low income countries which means access to treatment is low (only 1/3 have access compared to 2/3rds in european countries)
How did HIV/AIDS affect the change in life expectancy for countries in Africa
Life expectancy was originally increasing, however due to HIV/AIDS it plummeted by about 10-20 years. With treatment now, life expectancy is increasing again
What is the prevalence of new cases and deaths from HIV/AIDs globally?
Deaths from HIV are going down due to better treatment, new infections are going down because we know the modes of transmission and high risk groups, however prevalence is increasing because people are not dying from it
What are factors shaping the epidemic?
Nearly 15% of people with HIV don’t know their status, most people living with or at risk of HIV do not have access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, about 95% of affected live in LMICs, to reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS, it is essential to tailor the response and interventions to local circumstances and prevalent risk factors
What are recent global trends?
- Heterosexual transmission has become the dominant mode of transmission
- Young people account for a significant and rapidly growing percentage of the population
- Of new infections for people aged 15+, 40% are in the 15-24 age group (mostly female, in sub saharan)
- AIDS related illnesses is the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age worldwide
What is the feminization of the HIV epidemic
increasing proportions of new infections are among women primarily due to heterosexual transmission of the infection
What proportion of the population affected by HIV/AIDS are female
only around 20% in NZ but in african countries its 70-80%
Which age group has the greatest deaths for HIV/AIDS
those aged 15-49 years (mostly females)
Who are the high risk groups for unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV+ person?
Homosexual men, heterosexual people and sex workers
What are the high risk groups for sharing un-sterilized injections and needles?
Injecting drug users, those receiving injections with unsterilized needles (generally in low resource settings)
Who are most at risk for mother-child transmissions
infants born to or breast fed by untreated HIV+ mothers
Who are the high risk groups for blood borne transmissions?
Anyone receiving unscreened blood products or organs (generally in countries with inadequate screening)