 |
The PDM students of 2008 at the annual
summer school in January, all fired up to tackle the
HIV and AIDS pandemic. |
2008
Eight years after the initial idea of the PDM was born,
people still come from all over the world to learn from
the experts at the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management.
This year there are students from Sweden and Germany. It
is always interesting to have people from regions such as
Europe participate in the course, as the statistics on HIV
and AIDS tend to focus on African countries.
In 2006 Germany reported 2 718 new HIV cases, the highest
reported annual incidence since HIV reporting began there
in 1993. The increase is reported in three transmission
groups: intravenous drug users (IDUs), heterosexuals and
men who have sex with men (MSM), but is most pronounced
among MSM who are infected domestically. About half of all
reported infections for whom the transmission route is known
are in MSM, a rate that has been on the rise since 2001.
An additional 35% are heterosexually transmitted. HIV prevalence
is however low in the general population, particularly outside
metropolitan areas.
By the end of 2006, Swedish authorities reported a cumulative
total of 7 477 HIV cases. They also reported that 2 095
of the individuals living with HIV had developed AIDS, including
1 317 who had died. A total of 71% of all HIV cases were
among men. The Communicable Disease Act sets out guidelines
for Swedes living with HIV or AIDS, including the obligation
to inform their sexual partners about their HIV status.
In addition, a county administrative court can issue a compulsory
isolation order if there is well-founded reason to believe
that an HIV positive individual is not following these behavioural
guidelines, and that the lack of compliance entails a clear
risk for the spread of infection.
Through its passionate students, from these two countries
and others, the Africa Centre can indeed create awareness
about HIV and AIDS all over the world.
PDM group of 2007
PDM group of 2006
PDM group of 2005
PDM group of 2004
PDM group of 2003
|
