POPULATION-HEALTH: More women coming down with AIDS
PORT OF SPAIN, Nov 23 (IPS) - The large numbers of women being tested positive for HIVthe virus which causes AIDS -- is beginning to worry health officials in this southern Caribbean territory.
Health experts say the increasing rate of infection among women is particularly worrisome as this group seemingly lack the economic and social independence to refuse to engage in unsafe sexual practices.
In order to correct this undesirable situation, governments must address problems of poverty and the total dependence on men for survival among women, the experts say.
"So far, the response to AIDS has been a health response. Few other organisations have sought to address what is a societal problem, not only a health problem," says Dr. Glenda Maynard, Medical Officer of Health in the Ministry of Health.
Health officials also say despite widespread education programmes on the dangers of AIDS and HIV infection, Caribbean women are still unaware of the personal risks and this is a major cause for concern.
Claudette Cupid of the local Family Planning Association (FPA), says that both rich and poor women are at risk. The rich, she says, will continue to believe that AIDS is a disease of the poorer classes, while the poor tends to put other considerations ahead of gaining information on the deadly disease.
Others like Muriel Douglas, coordinator of the country's National AIDS Programme, feel the culture of the country is to be blamed for the spread of AIDS, especially among women.
"Our women always feel that men have the say, particularly in sexual intercourse," she says.
This makes it extremely difficult for them to broach topics of condom use within the relationship or even have their wishes taken into account.
Others feel that reduction of sexual partners and faithfulness within relationships are strategies over which women have little or no control. Research has shown that many women with HIV have had no sexual partners other than their husbands or regular partners. So even if the woman chooses to be faithful, faithfulness of the partner is not enforceable.
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