FEMALE CONDOMS

Fifty per cent of all HIV infections in Zambia, as in the rest of the world are women. This scenario has seen intensified interventions targeted at women. Some of these include research into microbicides. These are gels or powders which, if proven effective, will target negative women by protecting them from contracting sexually Transmitted Illnesses (including HIV) and unwanted pregnancies.

Another prevention strategy that has proved effective is the female condom. However despite its proven protection, the female condom has been overlooked by various stakeholders. In Zambia, stakeholders such as government, UNFPA, Society for Family Health (SFH) and Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) are among key players promoting the use of female condoms.

Publications

UNAIDS

Attachments:

File	Description	File size
Living Positively No.35 September 2008		206 Kb

MENTAL HEALTH AND HIV AND AIDS

There are an ever increasing number of patients presenting with mental illness among people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in Zambia. Experts have observed that more HIV positive patients are developing psychiatric symptoms. To this end, a national programmes on the Prevention, treatment care and support for mental patients infected and affected by HIV and AIDS was established in 2005.

Attachments:

File	Description	File size
Living Positively No.34 September 2008		86 Kb

CERVICAL CANCER AND HIV AND AIDS

Studies have shown that there exist a close link between HIV and AIDS and cervical cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer places Zambia as the second highest country with cervical cancer incidence in the region and the sixth in the world (at 53.7 per cent). Research has shown that cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining illness that puts People Living with HIV and AIDS at a greater risk to the disease.

Attachments:

File	Description	File size
Living Positively No.33 September 2008		89 Kb

This factsheet explains the current situatiopn regarding Anti-retro Viral Therapy (ART) in Zambia. Zambia initiated the National ART programme in the public sector in 2003 with 2000 clients enrolled. As of 2005, the expansion phase begun and has an additional 51, 764 clients enrolled. The period 2006-7 was consolidation phase.