HIV and AIDS
Children and AIDS: second stocktaking report
Progress made in treating children with AIDS and preventing mother to child transmission of HIV
Authors:
; United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Publisher:
World Health Organization , 2008
This United Nations report shows progress in treating children with AIDS and preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, but urges greater efforts to stem the tide of the global epidemic. The report examines progress and challenges in four key areas, known as the '4 Ps': Prevent mother-to-children transmission of HIV, provide paediatric treatment, prevent infection among adolescents and young people and protect and support children affected by HIV and AIDS.
Among other findings, the report says that by the end of 2006 21 countries, including Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Thailand, were on course to meet the 80 percent coverage target for PMTCT by 2010; an increase from 11 countries in 2005. In addition, the number of HIV-positive children in low- and middle-income countries receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment increased by 70 per cent between 2005 and 2006. Although it was estimated that only 23 percent of HIV-positive pregnant women were receiving ARVs by 2006, this was a 60 percent rise compared to 2005. Progress had been made in many countries with regard to the protection and care of children affected by AIDS, their access to social services, and school enrolment rates for children orphaned by the disease. At the same time, AIDS-affected children are still more likely than other children to fall behind in school or to live in poorer households. The report urges more resources be made available for prevention, treatment and protection efforts, implementation of new initiatives and scaling up those that have already been tested and proven effective. [adapted from author]
