Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe at a plenary meeting of the South African National Aids Council in Secunda, Mpumalanga. Picture: GCIS

By Samuel Mungadze

A NATIONAL Strategic Plan for HIV, tuberculous (TB) and sexually transmitted infections has been adopted on Friday, during South African National Aids Council (Sanac) meeting in Secunda, Mpumalanga, which was chaired by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

The National Strategic Plan has a target to have 3-million people on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment by 2015. South Africa currently has 1.9-million people on treatment.

The plan also aims to eliminate the transmission of HIV infection from mother to child by 2015 and to reduce AIDS-related maternal deaths. The country has in the recent past seen significant changes in the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Between 2008 and 2012, the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission dropped from 8% to 2.7%. There was a leap in the percentage of HIV-infected women receiving ARV therapy between 2011 and 2012, from 87.3 % to 99%.

Similarly, 99 % of all infants born to HIV-infected women receive prophylactic ARV medication to reduce the risk of early mother-to-child HIV transmission in the first six weeks.

In this plan “Sanac aims to reduce TB incidence and mortality caused by TB in people living with HIV by 50 % in 2015″, read the statement from the council.

Sanac also approved plans to launch an HIV prevention programme aimed at sex workers. Details of the project were, however, not released with the council saying it would do so closer to the launch.

The National Strategic Plan is one of the many plans the government is implementing. Early, this month, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the introduction of fixed-drug combination ARV therapy.

Patients living with both HIV and TB, have started being treated on the new therapy.

Fixed-drug combination therapy is a combination of three crucial antiretroviral medications in one tablet, taken only once a day.

This eliminates the need for patients to take three or more pills at various intervals per day.

19 April 2013

From the Business Day Live

http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/health/2013/04/19/aids-council-adopts-national-strategic-plan-for-hiv-tb

Written by Sonke Gender Justice Network

ANNOUNCEMENT

Sonke Gender Justice Network, the MenEngage Africa Network and the Women’s Health Research Unit at the University of Cape Town are proud to host the second MenEngage Africa Training Initiative course: ‘Masculinities, Leadership and Gender Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa’, to be held from 16-26 September 2013 at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. This follows the highly successful pilot course that took place in August 2012.

To apply for this training course, complete the online application at:www.menengage.org/mati2013application.

For further information, please go towww.mengage.org/mati2013course or refer to the attached document.

About the course
‘Masculinities, Leadership and Gender Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa’ is a short, intensive, ten-day residential course which seeks to expand the skills and knowledge of women and men in the Sub-Saharan Africa region to scale up work on engaging men and boys in gender equality, and build a network of leaders and gender justice advocates. In so doing, it aims to strengthen existing work on the greater involvement of men and boys in the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and AIDS, fatherhood, LGBTI rights and other issues pertaining to gender equality.

The course will incorporate a mix of thematic and skills-building sessions – covering both theoretical and practical components – as well as a site visit and daily opportunity for reflection.  Thematic sessions will address the topics mentioned above, while the skills building sessions will specifically address leadership (including youth leadership), organisational development, research methods, advocacy, resource mobilisation and monitoring and evaluation.

As part of the training, participants are expected to submit a ‘Project for Change’ proposal, which will be refined during the course and, most importantly, implemented within their respective organisations once the course is completed. The Project for Change is a project or programme that is applicable to engaging men for gender equality. It can focus on sexual and gender based violence, HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health or, LGBTI rights to name a few potential thematic areas.  The project can be an existing one that needs to be expanded or strengthened, or a new initiative that must be implemented upon completion of the course. Through the implementation of the Project for Change, it is hoped that participants will be able to practically employ the additional skills and knowledge gained from this training.

To assist participants with the implementation of their Projects for Change, the course incorporates a six month Mentorship Programme. This mentorship component is a critical aspect of the training as it seeks to provide participants with ongoing support and guidance as they implement their projects at the conclusion of the training. Participants can elect their own mentor or have one appointed for them. Ultimately, certification for the MenEngage Africa Training Initiative (MATI) will be based on satisfactory implementation of the Project for Change and thorough engagement in the Mentorship Programme.

The organisers trust that this course will contribute to the strengthening of both individual and organisational capacities, and it is with great pleasure you are hereby invited to apply to attend.

Summary of the first course
From 20-30 August 2012, the first MenEngage Africa Training Initiative course ‘Masculinities, Leadership and Gender Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa’ took place at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. It brought together 23 participants (14 males and 9 females) from 13 African countries. Course content was delivered by global and regional experts and leaders in the fields of gender, human rights and social justice, for example, on topics such as ‘Why Engage Men?’ and ‘Gender, Culture, Tradition and Religion.’ Evaluations from the first course indicated that participants found the training very useful and it increased their knowledge and skills by 41 %. This is a positive outcome demonstrating that the modules on the course were effective in transferring knowledge and skills to participants on how to work with men and boys for gender equality.

Target Audience
The course is intended for gender activists, programme staff and project managers from women’s rights, children’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and AIDS, and LGBTI organisations, youth leaders, government officials, UN Agency representatives, donors, academics and media advocates.

Who is eligible?
The ideal candidate will:

• Work in a field where they can influence gender justice and gender equality through their positions within non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), government, UN agencies, donors, academic institutions, faith based organisations, juridical systems or other relevant organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Have a minimum of 3-5 years work experience in gender, advocacy, human rights, social justice and/or sexual and reproductive health and rights  issues
• Demonstrate commitment and interest in strategies and programmes aimed at engaging men for gender equality within Sub-Saharan Africa
• Have proven and demonstrable leadership experience/skills
• Have a basic understanding of gender issues, particularly around gender justice
• Demonstrate an understanding, commitment and willingness to be part of an intense ten day residential course
• Have an innovative proposal for a ‘Project for Change’, to be implemented on completion of the course
• Have the support of their organisation for both participation in the course and implementation of their Project for Change (where applicable)
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in international relations, human rights, health rights, gender or other relevant fields (practical experience will be taken into account in lieu of an educational background)
• Be fluent in English
• Have interest/experience in running training courses

Cost
There are no registration fees. Applicants are requested to cover all travel-related costs in full. Accommodation and course costs will be covered by the hosts.

A very limited number of scholarships to cover the full cost of participation are available. The hosts encourage ALL interested parties to apply.

Application Procedure
To apply, please go to http://www.menengage.org/mati2013application to fill out the on-line application form.

Applications are to be completed by no later than 31 May 2013. Once completed, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. Successful candidates will be notified by no later than 1 July 2013.

For further information, kindly contact Tanya Charles at mati2@menengage.org

9 May 2013

http://www.maravipost.com/scope/announcements/3726-menengage-africa-training-initiative-call-for-applications.html

senior chief kwataine

By Agnes Mizere

As midwives around the world celebrated the ‘International Day of the Midwife’ on Sunday, Malawian chiefs continued their daily campaign to save the lives of expectant mothers to further reduce the country’s maternal mortality rate.

Malawi’s maternal mortality rate has reduced from 675 out of 100,000 to 450 out of 100,000.

With the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) rapidly approaching in 2015, the message that “the world needs midwives more than ever” is becoming more urgent including in Malawian villages.

Previously many village women were relying on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) during labour and delivery until they were stopped from assisting them. Instead village women are being encouraged to deliver their babies in hospitals and clinics under the supervision of midwives.

Under the Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood and Maternal Health, Senior Chief Kwataine explained how chiefs are determined to make sure “no woman dies while giving birth” and that plans are underway for more women to graduate as community midwives to replace TBAs in different villages.

He was speaking after a sensitization meeting in Traditional Authority Mwambo’s area in Zomba where 19 traditional leaders exchanged notes on how best to tackle maternal health.

Among other things, the chiefs agreed to form village committees to target those at grass-root level and another one at T/A level. The idea was to encourage villagers to send expectant mothers to hospitals or clinics.

“If approached TBAs should tell the expectant woman to go to hospitals or clinics where there is trained personnel. The TBAs are not supposed to put their hands on any woman who is pregnant. Gone are those days, we don’t need them to deliver babies so TBAs should find another job.  We want young blood, women with a credit in MSCE to graduate as community midwives to replace TBAs in different villages,” stressed Kwataine when asked.

He emphasized the need for pregnant women to deliver safely as the main reason why the traditional leaders as owners and custodians of culture were now playing a leading role to ensure women do not die during childbirth.

According to Kwataine, the rate rose to 1120 per 100,000 some years back but with their Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood and Maternal Health, the messages are going down to Traditional Authorities, village heads and “those responsible for the pregnancies including their husbands.”

He also mentioned the need to stop girls under the age of 18 from getting married as statistics show them being vulnerable and facing potential complications during childbirth

5 May 2013

Source: http://www.bnltimes.com/index.php/sunday-times/headlines/national/14939-less-malawian-women-dying-during-childbirth

(Photo courtesy of MamaYe)

By Daniel Wasonga

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are not passed from person to person, and include those such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. They may be of long duration and slow in progression, or in some instances, result in rapid death. NCDs are categorized mostly by their non-infectious causes and not their duration. Like all diseases that develop slowly and worsen over a long period of time, NCDs require chronic care management.

Expectant mothers, especially those beyond the first 42 days, are uniquely vulnerable to NCDs and require proper maternal care at home or in healthcare facilities. Exposure of these women to any disease is detrimental to their health and that of their unborn babies. Chronic diseases increase the health risks of expectant mothers and without adequate care, maternal mortality will rise beyond the current undesirable levels, especially in the developing economies.

NCDs disproportionately affect the low and middle income countries, where 80% (29 million) of deaths related to these diseases occur. Women in general already bear the burdens of NCDs, which are compounded by myths and misconceptions. Social and cultural taboos often prohibit women from opening up about issues such as family planning and unwanted pregnancies, which impairs the few efforts being made at improving these conditions. Furthermore, the constant “blame game” has not really helped in bringing stakeholders together in finding solutions for the specific issue of maternal mortality related to NCDs.

The cost of treatment is high. For expectant mothers who are the sole breadwinners in their households, getting proper care for NCDs may be difficult. This is especially the case in Africa, where cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes are leading causes of death in women. Worldwide, these diseases kill 18 million women yearly.

The impact of these diseases on society as a whole is enormous – maternal mortality goes beyond its consequences on individuals. The loss of women who are at their prime would leave an economic and social gap in society. Ignoring this aspect of the link between maternal mortality and NCDs is a mistake our decision makers and policy formulators should not make.

The overwhelming emphasis on reproductive and maternal health has pushed the special focus on NCDs to the periphery, an approach that is not effective. Maternal mortality remains the least achieved of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and multi-faceted solutions promise better returns. A comprehensive approach to women’s health that goes beyond the maternal focus is essential and much more sensible. The current interventions are too rigid and limited to the MDGs with little or no focus on post-MDG initiatives.

Although some achievements have been made in Africa on reversing maternal mortality, the progress has been limited and unequally distributed within and among countries. The upcoming Conference of African Ministers of Health should focus on compounding the gains made within countries and ensuring there is no disconnect between government and initiatives taken at the grassroots level. In the push towards achieving the MDGs, Africa needs renewed commitments from the governments and feasible, effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Best interventions should also be shared between countries to underline the collective efforts in eradicating maternal mortality.

23 April 2013

http://www.carmma.org/update/inextricable-link-between-non-communicable-diseases-ncds-and-maternal-mortality?utm_source=CARMMA+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=b8294967dc-CARMMA_Newsletter_April_20135_2_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9e3fb35732-b8294967dc-113587333

Complications from Unsafe Abortion Harm Women and Drain Health Resources

Findings from the first national study on the incidence of unintended pregnancy and abortion in Rwanda show that nearly half (47%) of all pregnancies in the country are unintended. The report, Unintended Pregnancy and Induced Abortion in Rwanda: Causes and Consequences, was issued by the National University of Rwanda School of Public Health (NURSPH) and the Guttmacher Institute, which jointly conducted the study.

These unintended pregnancies are occurring despite the county’s remarkable progress in increasing contraceptive use over the last decade. In 2010, 44% of married or cohabiting Rwandan women were using a modern method of contraception, compared with just 4% in 2000. However, the increase in contraceptive use has not kept pace with the growing desire for smaller families and does not extend to the increasing proportion of unmarried young women who are sexually active.

In 2010, an estimated 19% of married women (250,000) and 56% of unmarried sexually active women 15-29 years old (40,000) had an unmet need for contraception—they wanted to avoid pregnancy but were not using a contraceptive method.

The findings were presented in Kigali on March 23 at a Family Planning Day event organized by NURSPH. The event brought together key stakeholders, including Ministry of Health officials, UN representatives, leading NGOs working on health issues and reproductive health advocates, who reviewed the most recent evidence on unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion and developed a set of policy recommendations to better address the reproductive health needs of Rwandan women. Among these recommendations were expanding provision of postabortion care; making emergency contraception widely available throughout the country; better integrating family planning services and postabortion care; and educating women and medical and law-enforcement professionals about the conditions under which abortion is legal in Rwanda.

“The study’s findings indicate that Rwanda must build on the strong progress made over the last decade and further strengthen its family planning policies and programs,” said Paulin Basinga, formerly with NURSPH and lead author of the report. “Expanding the range of contraceptive options available to women and targeting those women who are at highest risk of unintended pregnancy are especially important if we are to reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancies in the country.”

The researchers found that approximately 22% of all unintended pregnancies end in induced abortion. Rwanda’s abortion rate—25 per 1,000 women of reproductive age—is significantly lower than that of Eastern Africa (38 per 1,000), and lower than that for the African continent as a whole (29 per 1000). Although the abortion rate is relatively low, abortion still places a heavy burden on Rwandan women and the health care system because virtually all abortions occur outside of the formal health system where safety cannot be assured.

In 2009, 24,000 of the approximately 60,000 women who had an abortion suffered complications that required medical treatment. Of these, just 17,000 received adequate treatment in a health facility; thus, 30% of the women who needed care did not receive it. According to the study, this was most likely a result of insufficient access to postabortion care and reluctance on the part of women to seek treatment, which could potentially expose them to harsh judgment or even prosecution for engaging in a stigmatized and illegal act.

Poor Rwandan women, in urban and rural areas, are far more likely to experience complications (54–55%) than wealthier women in both rural (38%) and urban areas (20%). According to experts surveyed, poor women are most likely to self-induce or rely on untrained providers such as traditional healers. Abortions from these sources have the highest estimated rate of complications—61–67%.

“The Rwandan government has already started to take action to improve access to postabortion care and we hope these findings provide further guidance on how to strengthen efforts to ensure that all Rwandan women receive the care they need,” said co-author Ann Moore of the Guttmacher Institute.

For more information:

Click here for the full report Unintended Pregnancy and Induced Abortion in Rwanda: Causes and Consequences, also available in French

Click here for the fact sheet Abortion in Rwanda, also available in French

After the March 2013 launch of AAI’s Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) Community Consultation Report entitled “Who is really affecting the Global Fund decision making process?” AAI has begun conducting advocacy around the findings. The objective is to use the research as an accountability tool, acting as a best-practice and gaps analysis evidence base for improving the meaningful participation processes of women, girls and those marginalized by their sexual orientation in Global Fund processes.

Download the full report: Who is really affecting the Global Fund decision making processes? A Community Consultation Report

Download the survey report: Who is really affecting the Global Fund decision making processes? A Quantitative Analysis of CCMs

Download the media release: AIDS Accountability International on the Global Fund

To achieve this, AAI conducted its Global Fund Advocacy Week at the Global Fund Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, from 15-19 April 2013, since engaging Fund Portfolio Managers and Senior Technical Advisors on gender and key populations is critical for holding both the CCMs and the Global Fund Secretariat accountable for their obligations to marginalized populations. AAI also endeavoured to connect with other partners in Geneva, such as the World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA), the International Labour Organization (ILO) along with funding partners and independent stakeholders.

On Monday 15 April 2013, AAI began its Global Fund Advocacy Week in Geneva by meeting with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (General Secretary) and Hendrica Okondo (Global Programme Manager SRHR & HIV Focal Point for Africa) at the World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA). The discussion focused on reducing the distance for dialogue between young girls and policy makers, creating spaces of “conversational accountability” and “intergenerational dialogues” so that young girls can have the opportunity to engage with decision makers, but in less technical forums. Leadership was also a topic of strategic thinking, with AAI and the YWCA brainstorming around how to redefine leadership so that it does not rest on the pillars of education or income.

The following day, AAI met with a team of senior technical specialists at the Global Fund Secretariat. Speaking with Linda Mafu (Head, Political and Civil Society Department), Sara Davis (Senior Specialist in Human Rights and Equity), Motoko Seko (Gender and Human Rights Specialist) and Mauro Guarinieri (Senior Advisor, Community Systems Strengthening and Civil Society), AAI pushed for greater accountability towards Human Rights in Global Fund processes. It was agreed during the meeting that viewing human rights through a public health lens can often be highly effective in certain contexts where the rights and women, girls and LGBT people can be politically and culturally sensitive. This supports the research findings in AAI’s CCM Report. AAI and the Global Fund also discussed the new CCM guidelines (2010) which say that CCMs should demonstrate effort to include key affected populations in the country dialogue process. In terms of the way forward, it was raised that Fund Portfolio Managers might benefit from capacity building on how to engage better with civil society outside of the CCM, as well as on human rights and key populations issues.

Continuing with Global Fund Advocacy Week, AAI met with two Fund Portfolio Managers (FPMs), Richard Cunliffe (Botswana, Swaziland) and Viviane Hughes-Lanier (Niger). At these two meetings, AAI consulted with the FPMs about how best to strengthen Africa’s CCMs through improved participation of marginalized groups. The result was a recommendation from the Secretariat to build the capacity of civil society to become principal or sub-recipients, train key populations CCM members on how to influence a meeting, and train the CCM Chairs and Co-Chairs on how to run a meeting that includes discussions of strategic thinking around human rights considerations.

At the end of the week, solid plans had been made to move forward with the project in a manner that continues to involve the Secretariat in Geneva. This way, AAI can increase its impact in pushing for greater accountability to women, girls and SOGI groups from both the CCMs in country, and the FPMs and Technical Specialists at the Global Fund in Geneva.

5. Health morbidity & mortality

5.1. Women’s health and safe motherhood

5.1.1. Renew commitment to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity as a matter of urgency and allocating financial resources to ensure the development and implementation of policy and clear policy guidelines that guarantee universal access to the provision of family planning and contraceptive services , with free or subsidized care for those in need and those most marginalised;

5.1.2. Understand and demonstrate that safe motherhood is a human rights issue and as such needs to be positioned as a key concern in national dialogue on sexual and reproductive health and requires a strong rights approach at all levels of the ministry of health;

5.1.3. Ensure the development and implementation of policy and clear policy guidelines that guarantee universal access to an integrated service package, including but not limited to: mental health care; the provision of SRH services and commodities, improved ante-natal care, and response and care for obstetric emergencies;

5.1.4. Incorporate evidence-based clinical protocols that improve the referral system, strengthen transport and communication networks, promote community mobilization, build bridges between health care providers and social networks, improving the clinical and communication skills of providers at the health care level, improving access to skilled health providers, increasing access to referral services, and prevention of unwanted pregnancy and care of post abortion complications;

5.1.5. Educate and empower women and men to present at health care provider for pre-natal care at an earlier stage of pregnancy and more regularly, as well as to adhere to medical advice to ensure a healthy pregnancy;

5.1.6. Provide, without fear of prosecution, criminalisation, discrimination or intimidation, quality and prompt post abortion care and counselling to women who have undergone unlicensed, incomplete and/or illegal abortions and who require medical attention;

5.1.7. Remove all obstacles, including payment of fees, for women seeking medical attention during pregnancy and ensure free or subsidized care for those in need and those most marginalised especially rural based women;

5.1.8. Research and better understand the role and knowledge of traditional birth attendants and traditional or indigenous medicine and ensure that where applicable the benefits can be maximised and the dangers minimised.

5.2. Child survival and health

5.2.1. Mobilize political leadership to end preventable child deaths as a matter of urgency;

5.2.2. Implement evidence based country plans that sharpen government led action plans, track and sustain progress against 5 year milestones and align development support with national strategies;

5.2.3. Build on mechanisms to monitor and report progress, compile and disseminate annual progress reports, and promote transparency and accountability through regional and global forums;

5.2.4. Ensure the availability and accessibility of immunization services for all children;

5.2.5. Build capacity of parents and caregivers on health issues for children and babies including but not limited to when to seek medical attention, which foods are most nutritious, needs of sero-discordant families, the strengths and weaknesses of breast and bottle feeding, and accessing uncontaminated water for drinking and protecting children from infectious diseases like malaria and pneumonia with vaccines, bed nets, and antibiotics.

5.2.6. Research and better understand the role and knowledge of traditional or indigenous medicine for child survival and health and ensure that where applicable the benefits can be maximised and the dangers minimised.

5.2.7. Provide accessible, affordable, acceptable quality health services and information and support, including mental health services to HIV positive mothers and fathers before, during and after the birth process to ensure the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.

5.2.8. Urgently put in place policy, programming and implementation strategies to ensure prevention of mother to child transmission, especially by designing and implementing PMTCT programmes that are directed at community level in terms of applicability, language, local traditions and misconceptions;

5.2.9. Create an enabling legal environment that will encourage pregnant women to under-go HIV testing, provide treatment care and support and ensure availability of antiretroviral therapy for all HIV pregnant women, especially those in rural areas;

5.3. Non-Communicable Diseases

5.3.1. Improve information and research on non-communicable diseases (NCDS) and develop policies and programmes that are up to date and will address the challenges posed by non-communicable disease;

5.3.2. Increase public awareness and education of non-communicable diseases, including life-style, environmental and occupational related NCDs, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and cancer and to implement campaigns to use prevention methods as much as possible.

5.3.3. Ensure the better screening and proper management and control of non-communicable diseases by providing timely and AAAQ diagnosis, treatment and information;

5.3.4. Equip health care centres and train health care workers to provide services for complications arising from non-communicable diseases;

5.3.5. Allocate appropriate resources towards address the challenges pose by non-communicable diseases;

5.3.6. Create awareness among people especially those in rural communities on environmental cleanliness.

To download the full document click here: AAI AUC Ford Civil Society African Common Position Paper on ICPD 2013 April

PRESS RELEASE:

In poorer countries, young children are more likely to die in the months before their mother’s death, when she is seriously ill, and also in the period after her death, according to a study by international researchers published in this week’s PLOS Medicine.

These findings are important as they highlight the urgent need for proactive and coordinated community-based interventions to support families, especially vulnerable children, when a mother becomes seriously ill, not just in the period following her death.

Research was carried out in a large socio-economically disadvantaged area in northeast South Africa near the border with Mozambique. The team, led by Samuel Clark, Alan Stein and Kathleen Kahn from Washington, Oxford, and Witwatersrand Universities, reached these conclusions by studying 15 years of information (1994-2008) during which 1,244 children died (3% of the total population studied). Data came from a health and socio-demographic surveillance system run by the MRC / Wits Rural Health and Transitions Unit, a founding member of the INDEPTH Network (http://www.indepth-network.org).

The researchers found that the period in which children are more likely to die began 6 – 11 months before their mother’s death, and importantly, there were three distinct periods with a much higher chance (odds) of death: the period 1 – 2 months before their mother’s death (7-fold increase in odds of dying), the month of her death (12-fold increase in odds of dying) and the period 1 – 2 months following her death (7-fold increase in odds of dying).

Furthermore, during the five-month period around the time of their mother’s death, children (both boys and girls) aged 0 – 6 months were about nine times more likely to die than children aged 24 – 59 months. And, children were about 1.5 times more likely to die if their mother died of an AIDS-related cause rather than some other cause of death.

The authors say: “Young children’s survival is put at substantial risk when their mothers become very ill. In particular, a period of very high risk for the child occurs in the two months prior to a mother’s death and extends for two months after. ”

They continue: “This effect is considerably greater when a mother has HIV and AIDS but the pattern is maintained for non-HIV-related causes.”

The authors add: “Proactive and coordinated community-based interventions are urgently needed to support families when a mother becomes seriously ill, as well as following her death.”

26 March 2013
Fiona Godwin
press@plos.org
44-122-344-2814
Public Library of Science

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/plos-diy032613.php

The Gauteng AIDS Council (GAC) which is a partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and Civil Society Networks, local government, community based organisations like non-profit organisations (NPO) and non-governmental organisations (NGO) met earlier today to discuss priorities in stopping new HIV infections in the province and adopt a multi-sectorial plan for the financial year 2013/14 and beyond.

It is the intention and top priority of the Gauteng Provincial Government through the AIDS Council to keep people free from infections. Current statistics show that 84% of all youth and adults in the province are HIV-free.

The Council’s two-pronged approach is premised on keeping those who do not already live with the virus free from being infected and ensuring that those who are HIV positive are provided with the necessary medical and social support to live long and productive lives.

Through the efforts of the women and men who work with the GAC, much has been done to educate our communities on the dangers of HIV, prevention and living a quality life with the virus.

The following are some of the achievements made in this financial year and the challenges faced:

New HIV infections in teenagers have been halved between 2002 and 2008 due to increased knowledge and safer sexual behaviours, which is getting more young people to delay engaging in sexual acts and, if they do – they use condoms.

Research has shown that condom use is highest among male teenagers at 80% “at last sex”. This was achieved through families, life-skills training in schools and AIDS media campaigns. The Council has however noted that teenagers are still getting pregnant and infected with HIV as the statistics from the Teenage Pregnancy Colloquium held at the Turffontein Race Course yesterday showed. Reports indicate that some 4 200 girls in Gauteng schools were pregnant between 2008 – 2011

The highest rate of new HIV infections is in young women that are between the ages of 15 to 29. About half of young women have transactional sexual relationships with men who are 5 years or older than them. The inequality in these relationships undermines women’s ability to protect themselves from HIV and pregnancy with condoms and family planning.

Unemployment, low skills and poverty drive many young women into sexual relationships where they depend on their partner for income and accommodation. But some women choose these relationships to increase their social and financial status.

The Council’s new focus is on men – especially adult men who have sex with teenagers and young women. Too many men think it is “normal” to have sexual relationships with young girls and women. These men have higher HIV infection rates and the risks are even higher when alcohol is involved. Condom use in this age group is poor however our HIV testing campaign shows that 66% of men tested.

Gender-based violence, coupled with Inter-generational sex also increase HIV infections in young women and a percentage of boys. Rape of babies, children and the elderly is a shocking development which is criminal in nature.

Efforts by key departments

Education

The Gauteng Department of Education will continue to provide life skills training through schools with extra activities like peer education in the schools with higher risks. Life skills training are being strengthened with greater involvement of parents and communities;

Health

The Department of Health will again focus on preventing HIV in babies through services for pregnant women and leads the HIV testing and TB screening campaign. Family planning is being scaled up, nurses are visiting more schools and women are motivated to start antenatal care before four months of pregnancy to reduce the risks of HIV in pregnancy;

The Health Department is continuing with promoting the Gauteng Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and Sexually Transmitted Infections and will be targeting unemployed youth and youth in education institutions until the end of this month. From April to June the focus of the campaign will be on treatment and testing and families will be targeted with message driven by people living with HIV and Aids, the faith sector and people caring for the HIV infected.

Social Development

The Social Development Department will in the 2013/14 financial year again lead social support and services for orphans and vulnerable children including life skills for teenagers. Social problems can result in girls starting sex early and having more sex partners. Boys need more support from fathers and father figures.

Community Safety

Drug abuse is an increasing problem being addressed with involvement of Community Safety, South African Police Service (SAPS) and communities. The matter will again be receiving priority this coming financial year. The Council will establish more Thuthuzela Centres in an effort to increases access and services for people that have been violated by working closely with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to increase conviction rates and counselling therapy.

Local Government

Municipalities will drive civic education in wards on large scale targeting young women, informal settlements and hot spots like taverns, clubs that often host sex workers.

Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC)

The community and school sports programmes led by SRAC, will again be at the forefront of building awareness about healthy lifestyles, including safe sex and development of life skills.

Roads and Transport

The transport sector has higher HIV risks, especially for long distance drivers – including taxi drivers. Awareness campaigns condom distribution at trucking centres will again be the focus this coming financial year.

The role of civil society

Civil Society Networks including NGO and NPO will develop sectorial plans that are aligned to the Gauteng 5 Year HIV/AIDS and TB Strategy to conceptualize a comprehensive implementation plan.

The sector will also assist the collection of data and compilation of Reports that could be used for intervention and preventative strategies. The sector will have immediate access to communities where Thuthuzela Centres are not available by making use of Primary Health Care Centres that may be a primary source of data and information

The sector will also identify and create the face of youth sectors to communicate messages and campaigns that will accelerate the fight against HIV and AIDS infections

In intensifying the fight against HIV/AIDS, Premier Mokonyane stated unequivocally that, “the greatest tragedy in modern society is the total disregard of humane value. Obsession with sex across the board has devalued our core existence and blinded mankind to no longer seeing or knowing the right time for sexual engagement.

In the process, communities especially young women and children constantly lie at risk of high HIV infections that threaten the sustainability of our nation and further the growth and development of our socio-economic potential as a province that bears a huge responsibility in Sub Saharan and continental Africa. We therefore need an all-hands-on-deck approach to curb and fight the spread of HIV in ways that are innovative, result oriented and progressive”.

Issued by: Gauteng Office of the Premier
13 March 2013

http://allafrica.com/stories/201303140710.html?viewall=1