European Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
8th Annual Conference - AD 2000: Advances in AIDS Care, September 1997
Key points of session - Global Needs and Responses - Sandra Anderson UNAIDS
- there are 8500 new HIV infections per day, 90% of which are in developing countries, and 1000 of whom are children
- infection is regressing in Weurope, and USA, but spreading rapidly elswewhere (though HIV in pregnant women in Uganda has recently dropped by 35%)
- Asia is likely to overtake Sub-Saharan Africa if trends continue
Regional Trends
- in Zimbabwe, 20% of pregnant 15 year olds are HIV+ve; 40% of 24 year olds
- by 2000, HIV will dwarf all other disease in women except maternal causes
Europe
- the incidence of syphilis is increasing in the Baltic states, indicating unprotected sex and therefore potential emergence of HIV
- some success has been reported in Switzerland, where following sex education, individuals are engaging in sexual activity at a less younger age; changing pattern of condom use
- Czech republic - needle exchange schemes and empowerment of gay community have been significant steps forward
South and SE Asia
- if the curve persists, this area (containing a quarter of all people living with HIV/AIDS) will dwarf all others in sheer numbers of people effected, and rates of transmission
The 'expanded response' required:
Aims:
- to ensure no baby born with HIV
- to meet make the response proportional to the threat
- provide resources for the putative vaccine
- provide adequate package of care and support
UNAIDS recognises the need to involve people involved in the epidemic; use ethically sound approaches; provide sex education for the youth. People with a role:
Nurse educators: ensure HIV on curriculum, as well as infection control and policies relating to HIV/AIDS clinical experiences
Nurse practitioners: be aware of policies; be pro-active in practice and care of people infected and affected with HIV; maintain a safe working environment
Nurse administrators: management of staff to prevent 'burnout'; facilitation of appropriate policies regarding safe practice, HIV+ve health care workers