HIV/AIDS  Among Displaced Women

 

Dr. Ranjita Behera

Women’s Studies Reserarch Center, Berhampur University, Berhampur

 

ABSTRACT:

Conflict, displacement, food insecurity and poverty make affected populations more vulnerable to HIV transmission. However, the common assumption that this vulnerability necessarily translates into more HIV infections and consequently fuels the HIV/AIDS epidemic is not supported by data. Whether or not conflict and displacement affect HIV transmission depends upon numerous competing and interacting factors. This paper explores and explains the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in conflict and addresses the unique characteristics that must be addressed when planning and implementing HIV/AIDS interventions among populations affected by conflict as compared with those in resource-poor settings. These include targeting at-risk groups, protection, programming strategies, coordination and integration and monitoring and evaluation. Areas for future HIV/AIDS operational research in conflict are discussed.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The factors that determine HIV transmission in internally displaced situations are complex and depend on the context. Internally displaced persons (IdPs) are defined as “persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of, or in order to avoid, the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border”

 

livelihoods and a lack of employment opportunities, sex work and sexual exploitation may increase. mass displacement may lead to the separation of family members and the breakdown of community structures and of the social cohesion and sexual norms that regulate behavior. Women and children may be used by armed groups and be particularly vulnerable to HIV infection as a result of sexual violence and exploitation. rape may be used as a means of warfare. People living with HIV (PlHIV) and other key populations at higher risk of exposure to HIV may require specific measures to protect themselves against neglect, discrimination and violence.

 

Essential services that existed beforehand may be disrupted during situations of internal displacement. People may no longer have access to information about HIV prevention, condoms or services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (Pmtct) of HIV. PlHIV often suffer from disruption of antiretroviral therapy (art) and treatment for opportunistic infections. their health is put at risk because their nutritional needs are not met, and palliative and home-based care may be disrupted. Orphans and other vulnerable children may have lost contact with their care providers. HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programmes existing before the onset of a crisis may have to be re-established (2).

 

Following immediate response in emergencies, including minimal initial HIV and reproductive health interventions(2), more comprehensive HIV programming needs to be developed for IdPs. a broader framework for response is needed because the focus of intervention shifts from individuals to general social situations, processes, and displacement phases in which IdPs and their families live, which may continue for long periods of time.

 

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite these limitations, this study has brought to the forefront the heightened vulnerability of females in the DRC, particularly female IDP, to HIV infection and highlights the potential role of conflict-related sexual violence and risk for HIV infection at an individual level. Recent data from conflict affected nations in Africa have concluded that sexual violence, such as widespread rape in these countries during conflict, does not appear to affect HIV prevalence on a population level (Anema et al. 2008; Spiegel et al. 2007); however, sexual violence could potentially increase risk for HIV infection on an individual level. Although this analysis was based on data from countries affected by conflict, too little data were available to draw any conclusions on the effect of sexual violence and risk of HIV infection among IDP populations specifically. Significantly, in our study, we found that refugees living in the IDP population reported lower levels of sexual violence during the conflict compared to IDP alone but had similar levels of HIV infection. Though the sample size for the refugee population was small, these data suggest that potential risk factors for HIV infection may vary between the two populations though further comparisons are needed. Factors which may contribute to the high HIV prevalence rate observed among female IDP are at bestMultifaceted and interrelated; therefore prospective epidemiological studies among this population and surrounding host communities are needed to better ascertain independent risk factors for HIV infection among IDP both during and after conflicts. Meanwhile, practical interventions for IDP including improved surveillance coverage and targeted prevention, care, and treatment programs are still urgently needed during displacement and resettlement and should be included in strategic plans for HIV programs in the country. Services should have long-term funding and be accessible for surrounding host populations.

 

REFERENCES:

1.               AIDS, Behaviors, and culture: Understanding Evidence-Based Prevention (https://books.google.co.in>books) Edward C Green, Allison HerlingRuark. Fuurthermore,most refuse camps studied had lower prevalence of HIV infection than their respective host communities ( Spiegel et al.2007). In a further analysis (Anema et al.2008), Spiegel and colleagues modeled the affect on HIV.

2.          HIV Infection Among internally Displaced Women         (https://www.researchgate.net>publication) HIV infection Among Internally Displaced Women and Women Residing in river Populations       Along the congoriver ,Democratic republic of congo…..violence ,such as widespread rape in these .countries during conflict, does not appear to effect HIV. Prevalence on a population level(Anema et al… 2008, Spiegel at al.

 

 

 

 

Received on 08.01.2018          Modified on 11.02.2018

Accepted on 26.02.2018           ©A&V Publications All right reserved