People might be surprised to know that many major challenges facing the HIV and AIDS and poverty alleviation development charity in South Africa do not relate only to health. Some real social and economic challenges have arisen from this illness that has so radically affected the lives of many South Africans.
Of course the physical side of the illness is devastating and has caused the premature death of many citizens. Untreated the symptoms are are debilitating, painful and totally transform the lives of its victims into a time of misery and suffering. So the recent news of falling infection rates must have been received with great relief. But as suggested earlier, it is not only the physical effects that cause concerns. There are many psychological, social and demographic effects which are not well appreciated.
There is an economic toll to this crisis as a large number of deceased have come from amongst those who were in gainful employment. Business has been negatively affected by the loss of workers with skills occupying critical jobs. Replacing these personnel has been a costly and lengthy process. Mines, critical to the economy of the country, have been particularly hard hit by this development.
The knock on effect of this is that the same people were also the heads and principle income earners of their families. In many instances grandparents of pensionable age, many of whom are facing their own financial difficulties, found themselves forced to become the carers and providers for their grandchildren.
An additional area of major concern is the common circumstance whereby both parents within a family unit may have passed away. Children growing up as orphans and with no direct paternal or maternal influence brings its own set of complex problems. The major concern is the ease with these young people become subject to peer pressure within their social groups. Not surprisingly many will easily fall into a life of crime and substance abuse, a trend which becomes even more common during economic hardship.
Prevention and treatment efforts are massively influenced by the levels of poverty within communities. Infection rates tend to be higher and treatment less successful in areas experiencing severe poverty. Initiatives promoting awareness, protection and treatment are dependent on affected communities being informed as well as suitable testing and treatment facilities. Information campaigns tend to be less effective in areas suffering extreme deprivation and medical facilities more scarce.
Stigma is another factor which plays a large part part. The shame and unwanted attention that infection brings within some communities often prevents people coming forward to seek help. Again this is more common in poor communities where educational levels may be lower or where insufficient information is getting through as regards risk of exposure and treatment.
These aspects of the work facing the HIV and AIDS and poverty alleviation development charity in South Africa might surprise those of us not directly affected, but it shows why their efforts and ongoing support are so necessary.
Of course the physical side of the illness is devastating and has caused the premature death of many citizens. Untreated the symptoms are are debilitating, painful and totally transform the lives of its victims into a time of misery and suffering. So the recent news of falling infection rates must have been received with great relief. But as suggested earlier, it is not only the physical effects that cause concerns. There are many psychological, social and demographic effects which are not well appreciated.
There is an economic toll to this crisis as a large number of deceased have come from amongst those who were in gainful employment. Business has been negatively affected by the loss of workers with skills occupying critical jobs. Replacing these personnel has been a costly and lengthy process. Mines, critical to the economy of the country, have been particularly hard hit by this development.
The knock on effect of this is that the same people were also the heads and principle income earners of their families. In many instances grandparents of pensionable age, many of whom are facing their own financial difficulties, found themselves forced to become the carers and providers for their grandchildren.
An additional area of major concern is the common circumstance whereby both parents within a family unit may have passed away. Children growing up as orphans and with no direct paternal or maternal influence brings its own set of complex problems. The major concern is the ease with these young people become subject to peer pressure within their social groups. Not surprisingly many will easily fall into a life of crime and substance abuse, a trend which becomes even more common during economic hardship.
Prevention and treatment efforts are massively influenced by the levels of poverty within communities. Infection rates tend to be higher and treatment less successful in areas experiencing severe poverty. Initiatives promoting awareness, protection and treatment are dependent on affected communities being informed as well as suitable testing and treatment facilities. Information campaigns tend to be less effective in areas suffering extreme deprivation and medical facilities more scarce.
Stigma is another factor which plays a large part part. The shame and unwanted attention that infection brings within some communities often prevents people coming forward to seek help. Again this is more common in poor communities where educational levels may be lower or where insufficient information is getting through as regards risk of exposure and treatment.
These aspects of the work facing the HIV and AIDS and poverty alleviation development charity in South Africa might surprise those of us not directly affected, but it shows why their efforts and ongoing support are so necessary.
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