Question

After you have done the research to complete the extra credit assignment, use that information to discuss and answer the following questions related to HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.


1. Given the dramatic number of deaths occurring, what sorts of ecomonic impacts will this epidemic have on the region?

2. What can be done to slow the spread of HIV in these countries?

3. Should other countries be concerned with providing aid to Africa to fight the HIV epidemic?

Answer 1

Answer 1.

By the end of 2005, 24.5 million people in Sub Saharan Africa were living with AIDS, and another 2.7 million people became infected with AIDS.Africa is very much getting affected with HIV as 64% of the total people died from the HIV is from Afria. It is home to only 10% of the world’s population, but approximately 64% of the world’s AIDS population lives in this region. The disease also impacting economic development as the high death rate is impacting the labor supply in the country. Africa has vast variety of mines of minerals and diamond which require men power for the excavation.

Like in South Africa 60% of mining work force is aged between 30 and 45 years which predicted to fall to merely 10% in 15 years. Along with this reduction people who are working there if suffering from the HIV their work productivity is also hugely affected because of prolong illness and prolong persistence of symptoms. Annual cost of reduced productivity because of illness is 17 USD per employee in Kenyan car manufacturing firm to USD 300 in Uganda Rail Corporation. Thus reduced availability of skilled labor would reduce growth rates by about 50% and investment by 75%. Finally if productivity is low than country has to import and export itself is diminished so it negatively impact over-seas business as imports of food and other basic products would increase and exports of manufactured and other products would decline.

Answer 2.

The social attitudes toward HIV-infected women should be changed through increasing the awareness and knowledge about HIV in local communities.

Antiretroviral drugs should be provided to both mothers and newborn babies so that further spread in next generation can be prevented.

The government should take necessary actions to provide appropriate and low cost drugs

Government should increase the social status of women so that they can protect them self against sexual abuse.

Educate people about the AIDS and prevention technique along with precaution.

Make safety (Condoms) available at free of cost and educate people about its role to curb HIV.

Strict restriction should be implemented on polygamy.

Answer 3.

As Sub –Saharan African countries are not much well economically developed that result in low education level and high difference in socio economic level. Such condition lead to spread of more disease like HIV. People are not aware about the spread and consequences of disease. If other countries provide financial help these Sub- Saharan African region can implement some plan to protect their citizen with this epidemic.