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)

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