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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Feb 2006 : 08:50:44
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In this weird world of ours, every aspect of life has some kind of geographic relevance, and so do sexually transmitted diseases(STD). From the onset,please allow me to make my point crystal clear here. In the poor world, especially sub-Saharan Africa, unsafe sex-i.e. sex without protection normally amounts to HIV/aids infection, a fatal disease. In contrast, unsafe sex in the rich man's world usually aggregates to infection of curable diseases like Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, etc, etc. Under such a variable global development of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), the geographic differences will never cease to puzzle all minds, especially African minds with some form of obsession with the issue of HIV/aids. Another point I want to make clear is, I have no doubt about the existence of HIV/aids. But frankly, the confinement of the HIV virus and its origin to sub-Saharan Africa will always bug my mind and will never leave my mind alone. Most likely, I may not be alone in this HIV/aids bewilderment. One question that refuses to leave my mind is, are almost all tropical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa now classified as HIV/aids?
Every now and then, the media in Europe and Sweden in particular, send frightening alarm about the sudden rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), especially Chlamydia. Evidently, such an alarm is indicative of rampant unsafe sex, sex without protection. Unsafe sex is known to be the vector of HIV. But probably not in Europe. Around here, carefree sex tantamount to curable sexual diseases, whereas in black Africa, the same practice tantamount to HIV/aids. A very petrifying equation, a mind-bugger and a glaring cause for suspicions.
The HIV virus, the virus that escaped man’s grip in laboratories and went berserk. The virus that is out tampering with nature’s greatest and sweetest gift to man---sex, sexual intercourse. The activity of sexual intercourse, whether for reproductive purposes or for sheer pleasure of the soul and flesh, is a class of its own and is hyper-sweet in all its purposes. Need to underscore the point that I mean clean, healthy sex that doesn't have any form of infection as aftermath.
Unfortunately, the fussy hands of man have been and are still tampering with nature’s greatest and sweetest gift to man---sex. The effect of sex on the human psychic can never be over-estimated. Modern scientific research frequently recommends sexual activity to re-place tranquilizers and anti-depressive drugs. Sex, sexual intercourse, releases tensions and is the sole provider of both appeasement of the soul and flesh in extremely poor areas of the world, including black Africa. Hence, the uncontrollable high population growth in poor areas of the world. Sex is the sweetest gift available to both the poor and the rich alike. No-doubt people in very poor areas of the world do breed like wild rabbits. Sex is sweet and the poor lack economic means for contraceptives and a controllable birth rate. A viable family planning scheme for the poor needs to be in place.
Woe is to the HIV virus. The virus that was apparently sent on a holiday trip to black Africa. The virus that relocates in black Africa. The HIV virus, the virus that is colour-blind and sees only the black colour. The virus that went over to the blacks fell in love with the black skin and decides to stay with blacks forever. The virus that is raping blacks and is not in consensual love with blacks. The HIV virus, the virus that over-exploits the naive, foolish generosity of blacks.
Bamba.
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Bamba |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2006 : 15:43:33
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Bamba I would advise you to research your subject matter more deeply and supply us with some facts to substantiate your claims.
I just find this piece insulting to the max, and its clear to me that you are don't have an indepth understanding of this subject matter.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2006 : 17:02:37
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| Sis controversial Omega, rather than insulting or claiming anything, I am just refuting the confinement of HIV/aids to black Africa as its bastion. You either loose the grip of the contexts of my postings or you rejoice in paraphrasing them. I would be most grateful if you could furnish me with your expert details on this particular issue to get it modified. I am beginning to love this forum of exchanges that I’ve just discovered. It’s a forum not bereft of experts in paraphrasing. Bamba. |
Bamba |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 00:12:44
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Welcome Bamba to the Bantabaa.
I can see where you are coming from.I misundertood what you were trying to convey with your unique writing style. Bearing in mind your opening article " The Colour of the Problem." It seems as though you like to write with irony correct me if I'm wrong.
It is interesting how in the West HIV/AID suffers seemed to be a taboo subject.I remember when HIV/AIDs was first identified in 1980's and Uganda was picked out as the source of the infection. Ten years later those people thought of having the diease at the time were miraclously cured. It was later found out that they were suffering from malaria. A friend of mine from Ethiopia told me how western NGO's would throw boxes of condoms out of planes and not instruct people how to use them. Some of the isolated inland tribes put them as on their necklaces. Other people in Ethiopia were suspicious that westerns were actually injecting the virus into them.
Bamba in the 90's during the Clinton administration, I remember a patchwork quilt being laid out across the lawn of the white house every square represented a death of an Aids victim, and the majority of them at the time were white homosexual males.
I've also found it very suspcious that after South Africa gained its independence in 1990, a pandemic of HIV/AID's broke out now this smells of biological warfare to me! 
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 10:44:37
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It is true that in the west many cases of HIV aids have been white homosexuals...but now it is spreading throughout the population. Drug users that share needles are at high risk. Also the largest increase group in uk is amongst white women.
Sharing needles and sexual practices are the two key things.
Abstaining from sex obviously is the safest practice...but not much fun! It is recommended to be faithful to one partner at a time AND use a condom every time. The barrier of the condom provides protection.
Unregulated prostitution obviously is a big area where infections can spread. But dont be complacent. You could be faithful, but if your partner sleeps with one infected person and then you sleep with them without a condom you could become infected.
Good quality condoms need to be made available and men need to USE them! They are no good on the shelf!!!
I would say unless you and your partner have both been tested for HIV and are both negative AND can trust each other 100% ALWAYS use a condom.
The further issue is about drugs to treat the disease and delay its progression....... In the west there seems to be hope of more and better treatment...but still no CURE. In Africa these drugs are limited because of the high cost. This is a big issue that needs to be dealt with by politcians of the world.
STAY SAFE! |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 18:19:45
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I believe malaria is a much bigger problem across Africa compared to Aids.I remember a statistic (sorry, figures are rough)
10 times more people globally die from Malaria every year.
But
10 times more money is being put into research for a cure for HIV
because
we in the West are more affected by the HIV virus than Malaria.
We create the news, we make our media and we are more involved with HIV, so Malaria is slightly being forgotten.
Maybe because of this unconcious thought do we talk and think about HIV more.
I can't understand how Aids can spread so fast through sexual intercourse, as I don't see the african population being so open-minded towards the whole s.. thing as we are. |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 18:58:21
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Thanks Sis (very compromising this time) Omega. I’ll try relentlessly not to wear out my welcome as a subscriber to Bantaba. People do have various writing styles. The essence in writing is to get one’s point correctly home, though provisions for misinterpretations and misunderstanding have to be made. If everyone should write using the same style, the monotony of pieces written would be painstakingly unbearable, don’t you think so? My style of writing is gladly left with readers to evaluate. But as the writer, I humbly demand a worthy evaluation.
My opening piece captioned “The colour of problem” was an attempt to list out some of the main problems confronting the black race globally and even in black Africa, the home and sanctuary of blacks. The prerequisite for the solution of problems calls for the sorting out (no-matter how harsh) of the nature of the problems that one or many are confronted with. Amazingly, when black problems are unfolded by blacks a semblance of “third world war” amongst blacks ensues. On the contrary, when black problems are revealed and used by whites against them (blacks), blacks usually acquiesce.
On the issue of HIV/aids, we do see eye to eye, and gladly so. I appraise with all due respect your reference to South Africa’s enigmatic HIV/aids situation. Apparently, South Africa’s apartheid politics is now replaced with “apartheid HIV/aids”. Where did HIV/aids travel to when apartheid was brutally dehumanizing the blacks in South Africa? I cant agree with you more in your assumption that some kind of scientific weapons, unknown to its victims, have now joined the arsenal of conventional military hard wares being used in both declared and undeclared wars the world over. In Sweden, one of the world’s most promiscuous societies, the public outcry is always on curable sex diseases, HIV/aids always takes a second place, how come? Sex is and will always be the principal vector of HIV/aids, right?
To me, the HIV/aids saga will always remain fishy until the enigma that surrounds it is cleared. Happily enough, you and I are in the same club on the issue of HIV/aids. Bamba.
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Bamba |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 19:39:54
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Twinkly I agree malaria should be given a much higher profile. But not at the expense of research into HIV/aids. Both are important areas of research for 21C.
Bamba and Sister Omega are you serious about the use of HIV virus as a biological agent of war against south africa? If so, by whom? Do you have any evidence?
The simple fact remains if you dont have unprotected sex, use an unclean needle, or have contact with infected blood, you should be safe from HIV.
Why is it spreading more in Africa than uk etc..... I was told by a dr that uk condoms are made to a beter standard and are more effective (take your own when you go to visit). Also it is possible that being of poor health anyway makes you more likely to pick up the virus, less good immunity. Blood passes the disease too, so circumsicion with a dirty knife used on several people could pass it on too. Aswell just because sex is considered a private issue and isnt flaunted and talked about alot doesnt mean it isnt happening! In uk until late 1960s sex was a taboo subject. Now you would think that everyone is having sex with everyone else....... In actual fact the rates of sexual intercourse havent altered much......we just talk about it more!
Finally there is the issue of testing and treatment. In uk people can get tested easily. Once tested and found positive they are morally and legally expected NOT to deliberately infect anyone else and also inform past partners so they can be tested. Clearly in an African village, if no testing has taken place a person could be having sex with several partners unaware of their status. Rigourous testing followed by good treatment in west helps stop preventable infections with HIV and so slows do the spread.
AT my daughters school it was explained to them that the average person in uk by the time they are 30 ( I think it was 30)? has had 7 partners. If you sleep with someone you are really 'sleeping' with their 7 past partners too and their partners past partners.....etc........ it is like a pyramid....viewed like that it is amazing that teenagers today ever dare have sex!!! It was a very good visual aid to the subject. |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 20:16:37
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
Twinkly I agree malaria should be given a much higher profile. But not at the expense of research into HIV/aids. Both are important areas of research for 21C.
It is true that both are important.That's exacly what's bothering me.
Because we are more affected by HIV, we spend far more money on its research.BUT more people are dying of Malaria each year, far more, so it would only be logical to me to spend more moeny on Malaria.........but then again, the third world is far away from us and not concerning us if we don't want to
Sorry, this had nothing to do with the original topic
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 20:48:30
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| I find very difficult to understand the rationale of some list members. How can malaria be fought ahead of the HIV virus? I thought the HIV virus devastates the immune system that is expected to topple malaria infections. If in your world one puts the horse before the cart, then I am afraid one can’t do anything about it. Bamba. |
Bamba |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 21:12:11
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Oh dear, I think you didn't understand my point, sorry.
I see your logic and it makes sense.
What I was trying to say was that e.g in Africa, and in fact globally, 10 times more people suffer and die from malaria.There are 10 times more people suffering but 10 times more support is going to HIV.
I've seen this in a documentary, a British researcher explained this and I just don't find that fair....just because HIV affects white people more than malaria, we just bother about finding a cure for what a few of us have,instead of trying to save as many lives as possible.Sorry, I hope you understand my little point now.
And Bamba, don't be shy.Please approach me with name next time, I am open for new thoughts and discussions;-) |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 22:50:35
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Twinky,if malaria is the major killer as you categorically stated, and malaria is classified as one of Hiv/aids major ailments in sub-saharan Africa and in other tropical areas, where would your treatment priority lie? You cant convince me that you treat malaria first. Without the Hiv virus malaria is treatable.With the Hiv virus malaria kills unabated.Do we agree on this point? How can malaria drugs treat someone with the hiv virus? Almost impossible.
The body with a healthy immune system,with some assistance, conquers malaria. I do agree with you that malaria drugs must be availabe for those with a healthy immune system. Bamba.
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Bamba |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 23:11:52
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| If people get malaria they should be treated for it regardless of their HIV status! |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 23:19:06
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Gambiabev, i agree, but if the patient is Hiv positive the virus should be treated first. Otherwise, all other treatment would be futile. Bamba.
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Bamba |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2006 : 11:29:20
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Thank you Bamba, yes I do agree with you.Of course it makes sense what you write.
What annoys me is the fact that we( the West,who have the means to do research)just bother about what affects us.Of course HIV is widespread in Africa but I hate the fact that we care more about HIV because it affects US more.Our argument here is which illness is more serious.This is not what I'm trying to bring across.It's the fact that we again are mainly looking out for ourselves.Could you agree on this one with me?
By the way, I like your contributions on here, a breath of fresh air.....
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luvafrica
United Kingdom
1 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 14:34:15
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Dear Bamba, GambiaBev and other contributors,
I have been several times in Gambia.. there is a lot of concern in Africa about the high birth rates... can local women ( and men ) get sterilsation for free or does in have to be paid for... there does seem to be a great unmet demand for contraception.
I have read the Norpland and Depo Provera arer available through the UN in Westfield.
I would like to donate money directly to the hospitals and clinics for porr peoplr who are seeking sterilisatoin.. pay on an individual baisi. When I was in South Africa, I did a similar thing...
In SA, tubectomies and vasectomies are not free BUT the pricing via Marie Stopes reflects ability to pay.. eg.. In Sandton, a very wealthy suburb with a high white populaiton, there a tubectomy may be 200 rands ( about £230 ). In Umtata, a very poor area, then a tubectomy costs 160 rands ( about £18 ). But even this is too expensive... I paid directly for needy persons who were recommended to me.. I paid the bills each week...
I would like to do similar in Gambia when I go again next month..
Can anyone give me any contacts at the Gambian FPA in Kanifing or the UNPFA. Kevin Brown |
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