Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Lack of disclosure a major problem in tackling the spread of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia - research

Posted by Gabriel

(FIGO) - Efforts to tackle the spread of HIV in Ethiopia may be undermined by a lack of disclosure among carriers of the infection.

According to Brown University in the US and Ethiopia's Jimma University, two-thirds of people have made their spouse aware that they suffer from HIV.

Meanwhile, less than one in five carriers have informed their siblings of their medical status.

Ayala Reda, a sociology researcher at Brown, is concerned that this widespread non-disclosure could lead to the infection spreading further among Ethiopian nationals.

"This will create significant obstacles to the lifelong treatment process and the prevention of the spread of the virus, he commented.

"It may also increase drug resistance."

Figures showed that more than 11 per cent of HIV patients in Ethiopia failed to make their health status known to anybody at all.

More than 1.2 million people in the African country – one of the most heavily populated nations in the entire continent - currently carry the HIV infection.

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