PROCAARE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION--HIV INFECTION--SOUTH AFRICA

[Albert Shaw <ashaw@usa.healthnet.org>]

From: Ann Smith <ASMITH@cafod.org.uk>
Subject: HIV in South Africa

A recent NY Times Editorial "Some Hope on Third World AIDS" (7th Oct. 1996)
implied that South Africa ranks second in the world with regard to the
estimated levles of HIV infection, surpassed only by India. I work with an
organisation, CAFOD, that provides funding and technical support to NGOs in
Third World countries working in HIV-related and other development
programmes. By coincidence a partner from a South African community-based
programme was visiting CAFOD when we received notification of the NY Times
editorial, and he is interested in substantiating this claim as it would
lend weight to his efforts to galvanise community and church groups in his
area of KwaZulu Natal into addressing (or even acknowledging) HIV and
related issues.

My access to epidemiological data is limited. Approaches to UNAIDS have not
yet drawn a response and local sources and available literature have
similarly been unsuccessful so far in providing the required information. 

Can anyone provide me with data or a reference that would confirm the NY
Times' claim? Similarly, any reference to epidemiological data for estimated
HIV infections (as opposed to reported AIDS cases) for South Africa, which
would set this in the wider global situation, would be most welcome. Our
South African partner is only in the UK for another 4-5 days and I would
like to furnish him with some information before he departs. I would be
grateful for any information subscribers may be able to offer and a prompt
reply would be particularly appreciated.

Ann Smith,
CAFOD,
London,
UK.

PROCAARE subscribers:  please help with any input!!