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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The Effects of Urbanization on the Spread of AIDS in Africa |
Author: | Konde-Lule, Joseph K. |
Year: | 1991 |
Periodical: | African Urban Quarterly (ISSN 0747-6108) |
Volume: | 6 |
Issue: | 1-2 |
Period: | February-May |
Pages: | 13-18 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs. |
Geographic term: | Africa |
Subjects: | urbanization AIDS Health and Nutrition Urbanization and Migration Health, Nutrition, and Medicine Cultural Roles Labor and Employment Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health AIDS (Disease) Epidemiology |
Abstract: | In this article the effect of urbanization of the AIDS epidemic in Africa is reviewed. Many epidemiological studies have correlated high levels of urbanization with high rates of HIV infection across Africa. It is fairly evident that while sexual mobility appears to have increased with urbanization, it is not a new phenomenon in African cultures. It was, however, traditionally practised with discretion and within accepted norms for each culture. Urbanization has combined with the influence of Western civilization to bring to an end the habit of sexual networking within extended family circles and has promoted commercial sex and prostitution, previously unknown in rural Africa. Rural-urban migration has greatly contributed to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and AIDS, while urbanization has forced some women into prostitution in order to earn a living. Sexual behaviour research needs to be promoted but findings from rural areas may be less reliable than those from urban areas. In conclusion, the irony may turn out to be that wile urbanization has fuelled the AIDS epidemic in Africa, the resources and facilities available in the urban areas, such as efficient mass communication and good medical services, will in the long run probably play a big role in controlling its spread. Ref., sum. |