AIDS in Cote d'Ivoire  (7/22/2001)

Statistics:

	14% of women between 15-49 are HIV positive.  This number is a little lower in the north and a little higher in Abidjan.
	80% of sex workers are HIV positive.
	The population of Cote d'Ivoire is 15,000,000.
	Nearly 1,000,000 kids have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
	Infection rate in men is a bit higher than in women:  Estimated at 18% in Abidjan.

It's overwhelming, isn't it?  Cote d'Ivoire has the highest infection rate in West Africa.  Why?  Two big reasons.  First, Abidjan (economic capital) is the cross-roads of West Africa.  Lots of people travel through Abidjan.  Just like in the U.S., any city with lots of visitors, has a higher infection rate (NY, Houston, Miami, LA, ...).

Second, Cote d'Ivoire has always had the strongest economy in West Africa.  That brings lots of immigrants and migrant workers, many without their families, leading to casual sex and an increase in use of prostitutes.

And, there are several cultural reasons why AIDS is prevalent and hard to fight:

	Polygamy is common - one infected person can infect everyone else through shared sex partners.
	Women do not have the power to demand condom use.
	Infidelity is almost the norm here.  Again, allows the spread of not only HIV, but of other STDs.
	Aside from sex, there's the problem of sanitation - dirty surgical instruments, barber's razors, IV needle sharing, etc...
	This is where culture really comes in - in many places people believe AIDS is a curse placed on someone via sorcery.  If sorcery is the cause, safer sex isn't the answer, so lectures about condoms fall on deaf ears.
	Also very cultural - the belief that AIDS is a made-up creation of the White Man to reduce the population of Africans.  Some believe "AIDS" means "America Is Discouraging Sex."

Again, if this is a made up disease, it's a lot harder to convince people there's a way to prevent it!

There's some good news...  there are lots of international groups working here on education and prevention.  Also, the government has made AIDS a priority.

Last week we did three AIDS/HIV education activities with young people in the community.  All the kids/teens knew a lot about how AIDS is spread, so the schools are teaching it and the message is getting through.  But, I'm afraid that in the villages and among the adults there's much less knowledge.

One in 7 people (that's 15%) are probably infected here in Cote d'Ivoire today.  And that's just HIV/AIDS.  There are lots of other STDs too!

I'm afraid there is a lot of work to do here.  On the other hand, if I can give just one girl enough tools and knowledge to keep her from getting HIV, isn't that enough of a legacy to leave?  :)

Would love any tips or thoughts you guys have on this!