Ending AIDS: AIDS 2012 opens in Washington

Dr. Diane Havlir, AIDS 2012 US Co-Chair, speaking at the opening session. © IAS/Ryan Rayburn - Commercialimage.net

Recent advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV mean that the world can end the AIDS epidemic, delegates at the opening ceremony of the 19^th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) in Washington were told.

However, this goal will only be achieved with the necessary political will and international solidarity.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of AIDS 2012 were reminded of recent research findings about prevention methods, which – if widely implemented – could lead to major reductions in the rates of HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths.

These include:

• The use of HIV treatment as prevention.

• The rolling out of male circumcision programmes.

• The use of triple-drug HIV therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

• Intensified case finding for TB in patients with HIV, and HIV in patients with TB.

• Earlier HIV therapy.

It was emphasised that these methods provide additional support to well-established methods of prevention, such as condom distribution, voluntary counselling and testing, and harm reduction for injecting drug users. However, all of these initiatives still need scaling-up in many parts of the world.

Delegates and supporters worldwide were encouraged to sign the Washington Declaration, a statement of the steps that need to be taken – based on the latest scientific evidence – to drive down new infections and increase the proportion of people who are receiving life-saving treatment:

• An increase in targeted investments.

• Ensure evidence-based HIV prevention, treatment and care in accord with the human rights of those at greatest risk and in greatest need.

• End stigma, discrimination, legal sanctions against people with and at risk of HIV.

• Markedly increase HIV testing, counselling and linkages to prevention, care and support services.

• Provide treatment for all pregnant and nursing women living with HIV and end perinatal transmission.

• Expand access to antiretroviral treatment to all in need.

• Identify, diagnose and treat TB.

• Accelerate research on new HIV prevention and treatment tools.

• Mobilisation and meaningful involvement of affected communities must be at the core of collective responses.

The Search for a Cure

Prof. Francoise Barré-Sinoussi and Anthony S. Fauci, MD at the 'Towards an HIV cure' 
opening session. Image ©IAS/Steve Shapiro - Commercialimage.net

The search for a cure is one of the major themes of this year’s event. Delegates at a symposium heard about the renewed efforts to find a cure and the attitudes of people with HIV to the prospect of a cure.

Towards an HIV Cure, a declaration setting out a road map of the steps needed to achieve a cure, was launched at the symposium.

Delegates heard about what scientists mean by a cure; how a cure can be achieved; and about the difficulties and challenges that lie ahead.

Renewed interest in a cure was inspired by the case of the ‘Berlin Patient’. This person was cured of HIV after undergoing a grueling course of chemotherapy, immunosuppressive treatment, and a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation making him naturally resistant to infection with HIV.

This isn’t an attractive – or realistic – therapy that can be used to cure other people with HIV. However, it showed that a cure was possible.

There’s also interest in a cure because of the ever increasing costs of treating and caring for people with HIV.

But what do scientists mean by a cure?

Delegates were told that a cure would be a therapy that either eradicated HIV from the body, or a treatment that allowed the body’s natural defenses to keep HIV in check, even after any antiretroviral therapy was stopped.

A lot more research is needed before either kind of cure is achieved.

Promising lines of research include:

• Use of HIV therapy: Doctors want to see if a prolonged period of successful HIV treatment can reduce so-called ‘reservoirs’ of cells containing latent HIV infection.

• Emptying latent reservoirs: Drugs used to treat other infections and diseases are being used to stimulate latent reservoirs, which would then be ‘purged’ by the immune system or would self-destruct. Some studies have yielded very promising results.

• A therapeutic vaccine, which would stimulate the immune system to kill activated cells.

• Gene therapy approaches, where a pool of HIV-resistant CD4 cells would be established.

There’s a consensus that these treatments will need to be used in combination.

Researchers were reluctant to commit themselves to the likely cost of finding a cure, or how long it would take. “However, now we are collaborating, it will take a considerably shorter time,” said Rowena Johnston of AmFAR.

The cure: views of people with HIV

Fred Verdult. Photo © IAS/Ryan Rayburn - Commercialimage.net

The views of people with HIV about what makes a cure desirable must be taken into account during research into possible cures, Dutch research shows.

A total of 458 people with HIV were asked what they found most difficult about living with HIV and what would make a cure desirable. The results of this research were presented at the Towards an HIV Cure symposium at AIDS 2012.

Uncertainty about the future, the fear of infecting others, and the stigma associated with HIV were all rated as highly undesirable factors of life with HIV.

Approximately three-quarters of those surveyed said that they thought a cure for HIV was very important.

But their enthusiasm for a cure declined as levels of uncertainty about its effectiveness and the risk of transmission to others increased.

Almost all the respondents thought that a cure that eradicated HIV with no risk of future transmission of infection was desirable. But only 14% of patients considered a curative treatment that involved the need for regular check-ups to make sure that the virus had been eradicated was a desirable option.

HIV, Stigma and Men Who Have Sex with Men

Michael Kirby. Image by Denis Largeron. ©MSMGF

Another major theme of this year’s conference is the prejudice and discrimination that affects men who have sex with men (MSM) in many parts of the world, and how this is contributing to the spread of HIV in this group.

Law reform for MSM in Africa and the Caribbean was the focus of a meeting of the Global Forum on Men who have Sex with Men (MSM GF) held on the eve of the conference.

A recent study in The Lancet showed that 26% of MSM in studies from the Caribbean were HIV-positive, as were 18% of MSM in research from Africa and 15% of MSM in research carried out in south-east Asia.

The meeting heard that decriminalizing sex between men was an essential first step for creating a safer legal environment for this population.

XIX International AIDS Conference July 22 - 27 Washington DC USA

Currently in Washington, the 19th International AIDS Conference is underway. During the conference the various campaigns are also conducted. One is the campaign as seen in the picture.

The Keep the Promise march and rally in Washington. Image: Greta Hughson/aidsmap.com

Some writings and conclusions reached in the conference will also be posted periodically on this blog.

Why should there be an HIV prevention program in Papua?

Becak Race 2010

Becak Race 20

There are several points to be considered that HIV prevention programs are absolutely necessary in Papua:

• HIV prevalence among the Papuans is higher than with other tribes who live in Papua that is equal to 2.8% compared to 1.5% (Papua IBBS, 2006)

• In areas where the prevalence is difficult geographical conditions is higher than the easily accessible areas (Papua IBBS, 2006)

• UNAIDS report in 2009 stating that Papua has the possibility arises that general epidemic is an epidemic that swept all ages due to the prevalence rate 15 times higher compared with other regions in Indonesia

• Only 50 of 100 Papuans who have heard about HIV and AIDS information is complete and correct. With this amount any misconceptions about HIV and AIDS is still found. (WV Annual Report, 2006)

• Use and knowledge of condoms as a means of prevention is still very low, only 2.8% of Papuans who use condoms during intercourse (Papua IBBS, 2006)

• Sexual intercourse at an early age occur among young people of Papua. Surveys show the majority of first sexual intercourse carried out before reaching the age of 15 years (Papua IBBS, 2006)

• Condition basic health facilities that have not been up in various service areas, especially in peripheral areas. (WV Annual Report, 2009)

Although many people believe that conditions in Papua are very concerned that prevention is not deemed necessary, prevention program is still a major need.
Well, therapy is important. But do not forget, before treatment or therapy is started there is an element of compliance that must be considered. To obey, one needs a thorough information. Information that complete and correct, that should be provided.

 
After all, appropriate therapy in infected persons is also one effective method of prevention.

Written by Willy Sitompul

Lagu "Jalan Hidupku"

Jalan Hidupku

Jalan hidupku mungkin tak panjang

Jalan hidupku dibatasi oleh waktu

Jalan hidupku t’rasa memberat

Namun oleh dukunganmu, hidupku bisa berguna...

Reff:

Berikan aku waktu

Berikan aku waktu tuk bersama lagi

Jalani hidup seutuhnya

Berikan aku waktu untuk bersama lagi

Kisah hidupku terasa kelam

Kisah hidupku jangan sampai buatku tenggelam

Kisah hidupku s’lalu membekas

Namun oleh dukunganmu, hidupku bisa kembali berharga...

End:

Jangan kucilkan aku...

Jangan biarkan ku sendiri....

Jangan kucilkan aku...

Jangan biarkan ku sendiri.. (ke Reff)

Lagu ini diciptakan di tahun 2007 oleh Willy Sitompul berkolaborasi dengan Reynold Mandha. Dulu keduanya bergabung dalam Kita Bisa Band (dalam wadah Kita Bisa Project, salah satu proyek prevensi HIV oleh Wahana Visi Indonesia). Hingga sekarang lagu ini masih sering dinyanyikan di kota Wamena terutama saat even yang berhubungan dengan HIV dan AIDS. Misalnya: Malam Renungan atau HAS (Hari AIDS Sedunia).

Five Stages of Puberty - Guys

1

Normal Age Range: 9-12, Average: about 10 Male hormones are becoming active, but there are hardly, if any, outside signs of development. Testicles are maturing, and some boys start a period of rapid growth late in this stage.


2

Normal Age Range: 9-15, Average: 12-13 Testicles and scrotum begin to enlarge, but penis size doesn't increase much. Very little, if any, pubic hair at the base of the penis. Increase in height and change in body shape.


3

Normal Age Range: 11-16, Average: 13-14 Penis starts to grow in length, but not much in width. Testicles and scrotum still growing. Pubic hair starts to get darker and coarser and is spreading towards the legs. Height growth continues and body/face shape look more adult. Voice begins to deepen (and crack). Some hair around the anus grows.


4

Normal Age Range: 11-17, Average: 14-15 Penis width increases, as well as length. Testicles and scrotum still growing. Pubic hair begins to take adult texture, although covers a smaller area. Most boys have first ejaculations. Underarm hair develops. Facial hair increases on chin and upper lip. Voice gets deeper and skin gets more oily.


5

Normal Age Range: 14-18, Average: around 16 Nearing full adult height and physique. Pubic hair and genitals have adult appearance. Facial hair grows more completely and shaving may begin now or soon.


During the late teens and early twenties, some men grow a bit more and develop more body hair, especially chest hair.

Komik untuk HIV dan AIDS?

Beberapa organisasi membuat komik-komik untuk mempermudah pemahaman seseorang tentang HIV dan AIDS. Memang media gambar yang bercerita kadang lebih mudah dimengerti oleh banyak orang bukan hanya remaja dan anak-anak tetapi juga orang dewasa. Anda pembuat komik? Mau membantu penyebaran informasi lebih baik di wilayah Wamena, Papua, dan sekitarnya lewat media komik? Hubungi kami di: willysitompul@gmail.com.

CoH Brochures, Please use this one to approach churches!

Friends,

This is a sample of CoH (Channel of Hope) brochure. This brochure already printed and distributed through churches in Wamena. Due to limitation of quantity we hope that everyone seeing this sample through this blog spot can use it to approaching churches in HIV and AIDS program.