E-drug: Origins of AIDS (cont)
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[The following contribution is cross-posted from afro-nets, with
thanks. It is a response to the posting by Hilbrand Haak.
It is clear that unsafe injection practices contribute to the spread
of HIV infection, as well as other blood borne viruses. The extent
of this mode of infection varies from place to place. In any case
we will need to work much harder on changing injection practices in
the world and convincing providers and consumers that injectable
preparations should be used in a very limited proportion of
medications only as Hilbrand says. Another aspect that needs more
attention is the safe disposal of medical waste including
contaminated sharps. It would be good to hear the results of
field-tests of low-cost incinerators. BS]
Unsafe sex still main cause of HIV infection
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Source: Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)
JOHANNESBURG, 20 February (PLUSNEWS) - New research findings
suggesting that unsafe medical practices are the main cause of HIV
transmission have been rejected by medical experts in South Africa.
They insist that unsafe sex continues to be the main cause of infection.
The controversy began when a team of eight researchers from three
countries who reviewed data on HIV infection in Africa estimated only
about a third of adult cases are sexually transmitted. They said
healthcare practices, especially contaminated medical injections,
could also be a major cause.
The findings, reported in the International Journal of STD and AIDS,
contradict widely-held views about the spread of the HI virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) currently estimates 5 percent of
all global HIV infections are through unsafe medical care and
injections. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 2.5 percent of new infections
were
attributed to this, Dr George Schmid, a research scientist at the WHO
HIV/AIDS Unit, told PlusNews.
"The authors of the paper have raised an interesting point that has
not been seriously addressed in recent years. But whatever the
proportion, 5 or 60 percent we should all be working towards ending
unsafe injections," Schmid said.
But, he added, "the most important message we should not lose sight
of is that unsafe sex is still the leading cause of HIV infection."
South Africa's Medical Research Council (MRC) doubted the study
findings. "Its an important issue that should not be ignored, but the
extent of it has been over represented," Dr Debbie Bradshaw, director
of the MRC's Burden of Disease research unit, told PlusNews.
The researchers had ignored sexual behaviour and looked at unsafe
medical care in isolation, she said.
WHO will be holding meetings with the researchers and other medical
experts next month, to "come up with a consensus and a way forward
from this," Schmid noted.
"In the meantime, the population can have confidence in the health
system, particularly in South Africa," he added. [ENDS]
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--
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Essential Drugs and Community Health Specialist
Centre for International Health
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