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For the last 6 months I was monitoring Somaliland media for information about the status of HIV/AIDS in Somaliland, I have come across an article wrote by a gentleman in London (Kaysar Cabdilaahi). After reciting the word from the Qur’an, he eloquently explained the disease in lay mans' words, so each and every one of us can appreciate the situation in our own little way.
But seriously is that enough for a disease which ravaged more than 37 million persons in Sub-Sahara Africa alone?
I guess not and I’m sure you will agree with me, and here is the reality of HIV/AIDS in the ill fated horn of Africa:
- 10% infection rate among males in Djibouti
- 15% infection rate among bar hostesses in Djibouti
- 36% infection rate among commercial sex workers in Djibouti
Let us not go far; in Ethiopia the HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers was 20% in 1988, 32% in 1989, and 55% in 1990.
These researches are conducted by US Naval Medical Research Unit n. 3, in 1986 and National Research Institute of Health Lancet Volume 341(8854) 8 May 1993, respectively, and that is just HIV-1, the other type of (HIV-2), extensive studies was not conducted in the horn of Africa.
After decade or so later and dramatic increased interaction between Somaliland population and neighboring countries, the HIV/AIDS literature indicates the prevalence (dadka cudurka qaba), in Somaliland is 1%.
I have attempted to acquire their preliminary data, to replicate their analysis, so we can have clear picture the way they conducted the research and see how it is possible to have such a low infection rate when every country in Africa has 6% infection rate or more but the data is no where to be found. Now that is too good to be true.
Let me give the benefit of the doubt for those who believe the HIV/AIDS infection is non-existent or low in our country, how long do you think we’re going to down play the situation?
The point of this note is, we’re facing a major treat, and Somaliland youth (risk group) do not have a clue what they’re up against, they rather analyze and broadcast political arena events.
Bottom line I would like to say wake up and smell the roses, we need to do something about this, before it hits us had in the next few years.
Y.Garow MD MPH
ygarow@yahoo.com
Atlanta
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