ZAMBIA - LIFE EXPECTANCY DROPS; UGANDA SUCCESS IGNORED

LUSAKA, January 7, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Amidst continuing reports of Africa's mounting HIV-AIDS epidemic, Zambia is the latest to witness a dramatic drop in life expectancy. >From 1990 to 2000, life expectancy fell from 52 years to 40.5, while UNICEF says HIV-AIDS is now the leading cause of death, with 20 percent of the adult population infected.

Sub-Saharan Africa has nearly 30 million HIV cases, 60% of them women. In Swaziland, the government says more than 38.6% of adults have HIV, up 4 points from one year ago. U.N. figures show Botswana has the world's highest adult infection rate, with 38.8%.

Many, including U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, have praised Uganda's success in cutting the HIV infection rate by 50 percent since 1992. CNN reported in 2000 that the country is "widely seen as one of the most successful in fighting AIDS."

Yet for some reason, reports seldom mention that it is by promoting abstinence, chastity and fidelity -- not condoms -- that Uganda has achieved its success. Meanwhile, HIV in South Africa continues to rise, hitting 15.6% among those aged 15 to 49, despite, or perhaps because of, significantly increased condom use. Remarkably, the United Nations AIDS agency at http://www.unaids.org/ says nothing about Uganda's achievement.

Source: LifeSite Daily News (lsn@lifesite.net)