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  • Title: As AIDS makes its way to S. Africa, citizens reluctant to heed warnings.
    Author: Eddings J.
    Journal: Sun; 1990 Oct 22; ():10A. PubMed ID: 12284737.
    Abstract:
    An AIDS educator tries to encourage blacks in Soweto Township in South Africa that AIDS exists and it will soon cause an epidemic in South Africa. Yet some blacks tend to believe that AIDS information is American propaganda to restrain sex. Further others think AIDS is a government conspiracy to distribute condoms to control the number of blacks so there will be fewer blacks when South Africa adopts the 1 man 1 vote position. Moreover some blacks feel that this government or right wing plot serves to undermine the Africa National Congress whose members have been in exile in African countries with high AIDS rates. Besides many black men believe that wearing a condom disgraces them. Even in the event blacks wish to use condoms, condoms are only sold at pharmacies in the townships which are not only open Saturday nights, but, in Soweto, 1 pharmacy serves 3 million people. Nightclubs in townships should also dispense condoms. Still other blacks think that AIDS is confined to whites, homosexuals, and prostitutes. Even though many people are indeed concerned about AIDS, they are not changing behavior to prevent HIV transmission. In addition, blacks tend not seek treatment at the AIDS clinic at Johannesburg Hospital, a former whites only hospital. This reluctance may be due to fear and language problems. The 1st AIDS cases in South Africa were white homosexuals in 1982, but the 1st cases among black heterosexuals did not occur until 1987. These 1st black cases include migrant workers from Malawi and Zaire. As of October 1990, only 500 cases of AIDS have been reported in South Africa, but research show that as many as 63,000 people may be HIV positive. Nevertheless South Africa is the only African country that is equipped with the wealth and skills to deal with the AIDS epidemic.
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