Douala and HIV/AIDS
Universally, HIV/AIDS is a complex issue, with no standard solution, that continues to devastate our world. The situation in Douala is no exception. We encounter a convoluted array of issues related to stigma, culture, and strained resources and services.
Who is affected?
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Currently, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Douala is estimated to be 5.1%. The rates are highest among youth, pregnant women, sex workers, and working class men.
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The highest rate of infection is found in the age group 20 – 39 years. Respectively, only 13.1% of this age group was aware of their status. It also reported that rate of condom use among this age group is only about 50%.
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Children between the ages of 0-14 represent 8.5% of the infected population.
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It is estimated that only 13% - 31% of safe blood and condoms needs are being met.
New infections of HIV in the General Population
|
YEAR |
TOTAL |
MEN |
% OF MEN INFECTED |
WOMEN |
% OF WOMEN INFECTED |
|
2010 |
51 315 |
22 680 |
44.2% |
28 635 |
55.8% |
Deficiencies in Services
In 2007, the Cameroonian government made Anti Retroviral Drugs (ARVs) available to the people of Cameroon free of charge. Despite this effort, there are still many other financial costs that pose barriers to many people affected by HIV/AIDS. Multiple medical exams, that can be financially straining, are required in order to obtain ARVs. Often, patients will be deterred by the financial costs and not return to the hospital for further care.
The hospitals in Douala lack the capacity to efficiently address the issue of HIV/AIDS. Personnel are not always sufficiently trained and patients are often misinformed or not informed at all. Many times, nurses and medical personal do not have enough time to properly address each patient and counsel them on their drug regime or different medical practices that are crucial to staying healthy. Often, patients are easily lost within the system and do not return until it is too late.
Cultural Barriers
Rich cultural traditions, combined with the cultural stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, compound the issue even further. Status disclosure between partners poses one of the largest barriers to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Other cultural factors include the value placed on a woman’s fertility, the existence of strong social stigma, and the existence of polygamous relationships.
