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  • Title: AIDS soars in Lesotho.
    Author: Phits'ane K.
    Journal: South Afr Polit Econ Mon; 1994 Jun; 7(9):10-1. PubMed ID: 12287758.
    Abstract:
    The spread of AIDS in Lesotho will, if unchecked, lead to a tremendous drain on the economic well being of the country. Outside resources are already needed, due to a limited health budget and the lack of any vibrant sources of national income. The estimated HIV-infected population is 30,000-40,000 out of a total population of almost 2 million. By 1997, it is expected that 12,416 will have AIDS. The first case was diagnosed in 1986. In 1992, there were 101 AIDS cases, and, by the end of 1993, 297 AIDS cases. Case incidence among sexually transmitted disease patients at the largest hospital, Queen Elizabeth II, has been reported at 13 out of 100. Voluntary testing of 483 tuberculosis patients indicated 70 HIV-positive cases. HIV prevalence among blood donors has increased. Of all reported HIV cases, 63% are aged 20-39 years, and 51.2% are females, of which 64% are married women. 38% are migrant laborers who leave families to earn a living in South Africa. The consequences of HIV infection for tuberculosis patients is a more expensive regimen of drugs, which is expected to increase costs from $205,000 in 1993 to $400,000 in 1994. HIV-positive tuberculosis patients are estimated to reach 2547 by 1978, which will cost $7.3 million for hospitalization and drug fees. The drain on outpatient services, even for a twice-a-year visit, will reach $4405,000 between 1993 and 1998 for government services only. The total health budget for 1994 was only $8 million. There are currently 35 children infected with HIV, and numbers are expected to rise to 1968 HIV-infected infants by 1998; the cost of caring for these infants will amount to about $2.5 million. AIDS is a health and a social problem that needs to be addressed early in childhood through peer and sex education.
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