http://www.p2paid.org/node/95 THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN PHUKET, THAILAND The Life Home Project (LHP) is a Foundation based in the South of Thailand on the island of Phuket where it provides support and services to people affected by HIV. This includes those who are infected, particularly women, and those who may not be infected but are affected by the illness – typically children and other family members. The project has responded positively to the post tsunami situation, co-ordinating some regeneration activities and using its existing management and organisational structures to assist with the aide effort. Data relating to HIV infection levels indicate that in 2001, there were 220 000 women and 21 000 children in Thailand who were diagnosed as being HIV positive (though of course the actual number infected is likely to be much higher). There were 55 000 deaths average per year and 290 000 children under 15 years old had lost either their mother or father or both because of HIV . It is believed that around 10 000 people living in Phuket are HIV positive, with about 4 000 of these being women . Across Thailand Phuket is 6th in the league of HIV infection . Worryingly, a recent survey by the Department of Health in Phuket identified that around 12% of students are selling sex for remuneration (either cash or other compensations). Infection rates are rising, with ‘housewives’ being those who appear to be most at risk of infection. This is thought to be due to both the accepted practice of Thai men paying for sex with sex workers and the increased use of intravenous drugs in impoverished communities. The perceived, and in some cases, actual link between sex work and AIDS/HIV infection has lead to increased stigmatisation for women who are HIV positive and their children. The affect of this is isolation, in many cases women being shunned by their families and communities, and poverty / destitution because of the difficulty in either obtaining a job or sustaining it during periods of illness. The consequences of this include further compromised health because of poor nutrition and lack of health care, and reduced life expectancy and opportunities. en http://www.p2paid.org/node/96 <div class="goods_request"><b>Status:</b> <span class="active">Waiting for fulfilment</span><br /><b>Priority:</b> <span class="medium">Medium</span><br /><b>Description:</b><br /><p>Pampers for children between 0 and 2 years, small size better.</p> <div class="goods_request_info"><b>Remaining time:</b> 28 years 21 weeks<br /><b>Shipping address:</b><br />These informations are available only to registered users.</div></div> http://www.p2paid.org/node/96#comment Fri, 24 Feb 2006 06:06:42 -0600 Josethai 96 at http://www.p2paid.org