Moz 'must act now' on HIV/Aids
2005-06-15 06:22
Johannesburg - HIV/Aids is devastating Mozambique and leaving more and more children infected or affected, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said on Tuesday.
"More than one million children and young people under the age of 18 are either living with the virus themselves, are caring for parents or other close family members suffering from Aids-related diseases, or have already lost one or both parents to the pandemic," said Unicef's Leila Pakkala ahead of Day of the African Child on June 16 celebrations.
Mozambique has become one of the countries most affected by the pandemic.
According to estimates of the national statistics institute (INE), the prevalence rate among 15 to 49 years old now stands at 15.6% compared to 8.2% in 1998.
On average, about 500 new infections occur every day, 90 of them among young children through mother-to-child transmission.
Mozambique has one of the highest child mortality rates
Half of children born with HIV/Aids in Mozambique die during their first year and 50% of the remainder do not survive until their second birthday.
In 2004, out of 97 000 people who died from Aids-related diseases, 17 500 were children under five years of age.
This contributes to Mozambique having one of the highest child mortality rates in the world with 178 children out of 1 000 dying before they reach the age of five years.
There are very few children living with HIV/Aids who survive until they are 10 years old. Hence, the prevalence rate in the age group 10-14 is close to zero.
The total number of children under five living with HIV/Aids is estimated to be 73 000 compared to 91 000 of children under age 15.
The prevalence rate rises dramatically among adolescents who have started sexual relationships, since this is the main mode of transmission in Mozambique.
Almost 130 000 young people aged 15 to 19 are estimated to be living with HIV or Aids.
Most infected youths are girls
Girls are particularly vulnerable — almost 100 000 of those living with HIV/Aids in this age group are girls.
Among adults, it is estimated Aids accounts for almost 25% of all deaths recorded.
According to the study "Demographic Impact of HIV/Aids in Mozambique" published by INE, the ministry of health, the national Aids council and other partners, more than 325 000 children and young people under the age of 18 will have lost their mother, father or both parents to Aids by the end of this year.
It is estimated the number of children living with parents or other care-givers who are suffering from Aids-related diseases reaches more than 500 000, Unicef said.
"It is imperative that we rapidly scale up all prevention, treatment, care and support programmes for children and young people.
"Not only to curb the spread of the pandemic, but to further reduce the detrimental impact that Aids is having on an entire generation of children.
"We must act now," said Pakkala.
- SAPA