Africans In U.K. Need More AIDS Help

African men and women living in the U.K. are not getting enough aid and awareness to combat the proliferation of AIDS among them. This was the harsh fact that emerged at the end of a recent survey conducted by researchers from the University of Portsmouth.

Of the approximately half million Africans living in the U.K. – the official number given out per the 2001 Census – the Health Protection Agency estimates that 25,000, or 5 per cent, are infected with HIV. Among the infected populace, many are even unaware of their condition.

The study also indicated clearly that there were a number of myths doing the rounds among Africans in the U.K. regarding HIV. This includes the false belief that being diagnosed with the deadly virus may result in deportation from the country.

The seriousness of these wrong beliefs cannot be ignored, as they make the Africans opt out of screening tests, and stop them in general from seeking help, thereby increasing their vulnerability to the disease.

The research highlighted that more focused efforts were needed to tackle the case of AIDS among Africans in the U.K. It also drew notice to the importance of identifying the groups most at risk from the virus so as to streamline care, attention, and aid from the various organizations active in the area.

A survey of 4,000 African men and women undertaken as part of the study confirmed to an extent the specialists’ opinion that certain cultural beliefs popular in sub-Saharan Africa, and also practiced by expatriates, were responsible for the spread of HIV among the Africans population in the U.K.

More than a third of the people surveyed said they had no reason to suspect being infected by HIV; they also said they had no control over means of keeping the virus away. A quarter of those diagnosed with HIV said they could not make sure that they did not pass it on to their partners.

Many of the participants expressed unwillingness to use condoms, and several reported that condoms had torn or slipped during sex. While most knew that HIV is transmitted through sex and intravenous drug use, one in five had no knowledge of anti-retroviral drugs.

That was not all; one third of those surveyed said they were unaware that the drug had more chance of ensuring recovery if taken at an early stage. Many feared they would be forced to leave the U.K. if they were diagnosed with HIV.

Catherine Dodds, lead author of the Portsmouth project, said, “These findings clearly identify the kinds of HIV prevention that are most needed by African people living in England. Having detailed information about which Africans need the most support will help the organizations which fund and deliver services to better target their scarce resources.”

Angelina Namiba, another participant in the program, said, “The report re-affirms the importance of making HIV testing services, treatment and information easily available and accessible.”

In another response to the new study, John Howson, from the International HIV/Aids Alliance, said the report showed the gaps that remain with regard to Africans living in the UK.

According to Howson, “Less than one-third of the people living in low and middle-income countries who need life-saving HIV treatment have access to it and it makes sense that people will be influenced by their experiences in their countries of origin.”

"The International HIV/AIDS Alliance's partners in Africa have been addressing these challenges for years and have developed innovative programs to respond to the urgent need for prevention and treatment. This experience needs to influence the response in the UK," Howson added.

The National African HIV Prevention Programme, which works with a grant from the Department of Health, said that the stigma around HIV testing needs to be addressed to tackle the growing numbers of AIDS cases among Africans in the U.K.