Photo: AVERT An HIV prevention poster in Mzimba, Malawi.
Counsellor
explaining about HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi -
See more at:
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-malawi.htm#sthash.qndVapSH.dpuf
Counsellor
explaining about HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi -
See more at:
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-malawi.htm#sthash.qndVapSH.dpuf
Counsellor
explaining about HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi -
See more at:
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-malawi.htm#sthash.qndVapSH.dpuf
|
HIV prevention and access to antiretroviral drugs are the focuses to curbing the spread of the disease. Initiatives currently implemented include: expanding voluntary HIV testing and counseling (HCT/ VCT), prevention of mother-to-child transmission services, condom promotion and distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), blood safety measures, mass media campaigns, and life skills education (LSE) for young people (AVERT).
Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) collect high volumes of data in their hands-on work to identify the most common causes of transmission and the most affected demographics. Organizations such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, the World Health Organization, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) have all taken an active role in funding and planning to decrease incidence and increase awareness in Malawi (AVERT).
Photo: AVERT Counselor explaining HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi. |
Malawi’s steadily improving situation reflects the larger global picture, but meeting goals requires working within localized communities. Greater awareness and education will lead to a better perspective on HIV prevention in Malawi. For example, many adults do not get tested, but simply assume they are living with HIV because of its prevalence. Unsafe sex is justified by choosing partners based on their societal status or perceived cleanliness. Even if precautions are taken, condom use and safe sex practices are rarely being implemented on a consistent basis. Education, access to testing sites, and decreased stigmatization of testing will be key factors in the next five years in continuing to improve the state of Malawi’s HIV epidemic.
Looking to the future, UNAIDS’s highlights its target goals for 2020, “90% of people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression” (UNAIDS 90-90-90).
By World Camp Intern Rachael Thorn
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