WUNRN
2011 UNAIDS WORLD AIDS DAY REPORT -
WOMEN
Link to Full 52-Page 2011 Report:
The
proportion of women living with HIV has remained stable at 50% globally,
although women are more affected in sub-Saharan Africa (59% of all people
living with HIV) and the Caribbean (53%).
As outlined in the Global Plan Towards the
Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers
Alive, action is required in four areas. First, intensified efforts
are needed to prevent HIV infection in women of reproductive age by stopping
sexual and injecting-drug-related transmission. Primary HIV prevention efforts
should also be integrated in antenatal care, postpartum care, and other health
and HIV service-delivery channels.
Second,
the access gap for women’s family-planning services must be closed. These
services enable women to avoid unintended pregnancies and optimize other health
outcomes.
Third,
pregnant women should routinely be offered HIV testing and counselling, and
pregnant women living with HIV and their newborns should have guaranteed access
to antiretroviral drugs to reduce the odds of HIV transmission during
pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. Infant feeding counselling and support
should be provided.
Fourth,
HIV care, treatment and support should be universally available to women,
children living with HIV, and their families. Success in this area will demand
efforts to close gaps in children’s access to early infant diagnosis and
paediatric care and treatment services, as well as initiating lifelong
antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive pregnant women.
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