HIV/AIDS: A Cross
Cultural Study
Lew Frett
Claudia Kurjakovic
Jen McCafferty
Marina Stein
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wrs0XBGIphM
Thesis:
Through our study of HIV/AIDS in India,
South Africa, Thailand and Uganda it is
clear that condom programs as a means
of preventing HIV/AIDS transmission
achieve great success rates and thus,
should be used more frequently. Also,
there needs to be an increase in the
usage of education programs that will
target the entire population.
INDIA
India’s HIV Epidemic - Statistics

In 2006, UNAIDS estimated 5.6 million living with
AIDS in India (highest rate in the world)

In 2002, the C.I.A. predicted 20-25 million
people would live with AIDS by 2010
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2007: UNAIDS Estimate: 2-3.6 million living with
HIV of 1 billion people (.41% of population)

In 2005, a growing proportion of women (38%)
are infected with HIV

Epidemic concentrated in the rural north, and
mostly effects not “high risk” groups, but from
heterosexual sex
Indian Culture
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India split into 8 states with populations
up to 70 million each
Many different languages, religions and a
heterogeneous, diverse population
HIV patients stigmatized in general
population, attacked, rejected by families
etc.
Taboo to talk about sexual practices
Government Reaction

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National AIDS Control Program (NACP)
launched National AIDS Control
Organization (NACO) in 1992
Three Phases of NACP:
• NACP-I lasts from 1992-’99;
• NACP-II ’99-2006
• NACP-III launched July ’07: strong focus on
condom promotion
Local Level Programs

Each state has its own AIDS
Prevention and Control Society which
is guided by NACO. Established
• Youth campaigns
• Blood safety checks
• Use of electronic media – dramas, plays,
meet with an Indian movie star
NACP-III: Condom initiatives, ‘Condom
Bindas Bol!’ , Kite Flying at Durga Puja
Successes
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HIV rates have decreased in Urban areas
in the South
This can be attributed to: increased
awareness from electronic and print
media, education, ability to purchase
expensive anti-retroviral drugs
When state governments intervene,
programs more successful (can better
react to cultural practices in their region)
University backed programs (UTA –
Universities Talk Aids)
What hasn’t worked?
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Still, the disease is stigmatized
Government officials, even medical
personnel don’t know facts of the disease
– discrimination against performing
surgery
No organization at sub-state level
(districts), no effective field organization
to get programs exactly what they need
Recommendations
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Continue education/ prevention and use of
condoms
Continue to tailor programs to cultural
values and different segments of the
population (women, workers, etc.)
Increase cooperation between all levels of
government
Mobilize field units to go into secluded
areas where rates are highest
SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N98xMJWy9tQ
Statistics:

Life expectancy = 54 years old
• Without AIDS = 64+ years old

5.4 million people living with AIDS
= 11% of total population (2006)
• Includes 257,000 children (2006)
• 2015 = 6 million with AIDS  5.4 million deaths
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18.3% = 15-49 years old (2006)
29.1% = pregnant women (2006)
13.7% = teenage girls (2006)
AIDS killed ~345,640 people = ~71% of all
deaths (2006)
• ~1,000 people dying from AIDS every day
Cultures/Rituals:
The incidence of violence against
women in South Africa is high and
contributes to the spread of HIV
 Ritual circumcision of adolescent
boys  unsterilized blades  spread
of HIV
 Adults believe in ritualized ancestral
protection from disease  negative
attitudes to condom use

• Ages 18 to 24 more positive attitudes
to AIDS precautions
Government
Reaction:
Slow provision of antiretroviral
drugs influenced by attitudes that
certain politicians have taken to AIDS.

• President Mbeki: HIV not cause of AIDS
largely avoided issue of what
causes AIDS, but has repeatedly
suggested that impact of AIDS in
South Africa may have been
overstated
Prevention Programs
 Focus on prevention: promoting
public awareness & life skills and
HIV/Aids education.

LoveLife and Soul City
 High level of awareness among
youth – ~ 90%
 Life skills & HIV/AIDS education
now a compulsory part of school
curriculum and fully implemented by 2003.
LoveLife & Soul City
• LoveLife: nationwide campaign
promoting healthy sexual behavior
among adolescents, reduce incidence of
HIV/Aids, STDs, & teen pregnancies.

Widespread media campaign & educational,
recreational & sexual health services.
• Soul City: mass media to promote
awareness around health issues.
Integrates education and entertainment
Prevention Programs Cont.

Preventing mother-to-child
transmission
• 18 research sites; 38,000+ mothers
• Offers HIV testing, antiretroviral,
vitamins, treatment for infection,
formula – started in 2003
Recommendations

2007 National Strategic HIV/AIDS plan to
guide SANAC from 2007 to 2011
• stronger stance on treatment provision
• Emphasizes co-operation between the
government and civil society groups.

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Continue awareness campaigns &
education
Continue antiretroviral supply & treatment
Success Stories
THAILAND
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First case diagnosed in
1984
Early responses by the
government targeted only
“high risk” groups
Thailand’s government
realized that with economy
would suffer if they did not
deal with HIV/AIDS
properly
Mechai Viravaidya the
Founder and Board
Chairman of The Population
& Community Development
Association
Letters to Loved Ones:
Please Don’t Bring HIV
Home
UGANDA
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First case diagnosed in
1982
Government response in
1986 after the President
took an interest in the
disease after his son died
of AIDS.
The first program included
providing safe blood
products and education
about the risks of
HIV/AIDS.
President advised people
to abstain from sex before
marriage and remain
faithful to their partners,
but most importantly he
advocated the use of
condoms.
CONCLUSION
Recommendations
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HPNuuB9Q
ng
Continue use of pro-condom programs
and education – make available to all.
Tailor each program to region – take into
account cultural practices.
We do not advocate abstinence only
programs.
Allocate resources more effectively.
Cooperation among governments & civil
society groups transnationally.
Bibliography
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http://www.southafrica.info/
http://www.avert.org
http://www.Unaids.org
http://www.Indianembassy.org
http://www.Worldbank.org
http://www.Sciencemag.org
http://www.Globalhealth.org