some really interesting findings. "A nationally representative sample
of 6841 women age 15-49 and 3178 men age 15-49 were interviewed. This
represents a response rate of 92% for women and 90% for men. This
first part is hard numbers from the national registry for May 2007,
which records 5909 new cases of HIV in Ukraine in that one month.
While Intravenous Drug Use still accounts for slightly more HIV
spread, unprotected heterosexual contact is about to pass it.
IDU new cases in May, 2007; 42.7%, 2468 individuals.
Heterosexual contact new cases in May, 2007; 39.0%, 2256 individuals.
This is especially alarming because only 10 years ago, over 70% of
new cases were a result of IDU. HIV has jumped from a very high risk
group of individuals to a relatively normal segment of the Ukrainian
population; heterosexually active individuals who don't use condoms.
Also this week I showed A Closer Walk about HIV and the world in
general. The film is already getting older, but still enlightening in
its examination of HIV around the world. It's especially valuable to
show here because there is a 14 minute segment on Ukraine, though
unfortunately it only focuses on the IDU problem. The most powerful
part of the film for me was hearing Paul Farmer explain how stopping
and reversing huge epidemics is not very complicated. The medical
science exists and needs only be implemented. Behavioral changes have
been identified and must likewise only be enacted. HIV is relatively
hard to spread. If you have sex, use a condom. If you use drugs, don't
share needles. Yes some cultural complications arise, but overall,
duh.
There was a huge segment on women's rights, and how the world's
continued ignorance of women's rights and education is a huge factor
in the spread of HIV. Indian women, for example, are under huge
pressure to have babies once married, and even if they know their
husband is HIV positive, women will often choose to have a baby and
get the virus (as well as possibly giving it to their baby) rather
than be forced into divorce, poverty and shame.
Back to Ukraine and that study. Higher risk sex is defined as sex in
the proceeding 12 months with a partner who is neither a spouse nor a
co-inhabitant. 33% of respondents had had higher risk sex in the last
12 months and of that group, only 56% used a condom. That seems bad to
me. Anybody know USA rates?
Now, why did we put up all those notes all over school explaining how
the virus does not transmit? -94% of those surveyed would keep it a
secret if a family member was infected.
Three quarters of those surveyed would take care of a family member
who is HIV positive.
84% would not buy fresh vegetables from a shopkeeper who has HIV.
63% say that a female teacher with HIV (no symptoms) should not be
allowed to continue teaching.
And then the good news, more than 85% of those under 50 years old
agree that children age 12-14 should be taught about using a condom to
avoid HIV. That's where my job comes in, because even the health
teacher I work with is reluctant to bring condoms and explicit
language into the classroom. In health classes they talk about the
basics, but nothing like we do in the US (talk about sex, buy condom,
check date, get erection, roll condom on right way all the way to the
base of penis leaving space at the tip for semen, ejaculate, withdraw
before penis shrinks holding base of condom, remove away from vagina
and dispose of condom). Those sorts of specifics are just ignored, but
with aids, trail and error is not an option. So we are going to have
professionals start it with a session in February, and see how they do
condom demonstrations, keep kids learning even if they are giggling
and blushing, and provide effective education. That's what I wrote the
grant for, to bring in those educators, provide materials and
hopefully get sexual education up and running here in Velyki Mosty and
in the surrounding 5 villages. Ideally we can train some 9th and 10th
grade students to do the trainings and then go with them as they
conduct HIV prevention trainings.
That's all I got today. Now back to Ukrainian study, because I'm
determined to beat Caitlin's LPI score this time. So many great books
waiting to be read on my shelf, but no time. Grammar and vocabulary
here I come.
