Misleading AIDS data

Aids

By Steven Vete, South Pacific Commission

Pacific Island countries have been sup plying data on AIDS cases to the South Pacific Commission. However, there is a problem - an acute problem to be exact - we must all be extremely careful in how we interpret these figures. It is difficult to estimate the actual numbers in the Pacific. In other parts of the world, esti mates of the actual numbers of AIDS and HIV-positive cases have ranged from 30 to 100 times the number of officially reported cases.

There are many difficulties in compiling accurate figures of AIDS/HIV and STD (sexually transmitted disease) cases in the Pacific Islands. These include: Deficiencies of the reporting systems within each coun try; private medical practitioners not report ing cases because of confidentiality and social sensitivities; and access to travel opportunities which enable Pacific Islanders to get tested and sometimes, treat ed for sexually transmitted diseases in other countries.

Although some Pacific Islands may be ‘officially’ free of the deadly infection, there is no room for complacency. Some governments fear that disclosure of the number of AIDS/HIV cases might discour

age tourism (an important growth industry

for many Pacific Islands). Others do not report their AIDS/HIV cases because these are already included in the statistics of the metropolitan countries to which their citi zens have ready access. It must be remem bered that Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States - all countries with many cases of AIDS/HIV - have large Pacific Island communities, many of whom travel back to their mother countries quite regularly.

The incidence of STD in the Pacific Islands must also be taken into account when considering how AIDS and HIV infection may affect the Pacific. While the number of HIV and AIDS cases may be rel atively low, in some island countrie, the STD rate has reached epidemic proportions, and in others it is on the increase. Why is this important? Because it clearly demon strates that the behaviour which transmits STDs such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamy dia, and HIV infection - unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner - is occurring with great frequency in the Pacific, and second, because people who suffer from STDs are at greater risk of becoming infected with HIV if they are exposed to this virus.

Reluctance to talk about sex because of traditional or religious barriers means that

many Pacific Islanders may not have learned about STDs, including AIDS. Many people do not know that a person can be infected with an STD and not have any symptoms, or be infected with HIV and appear perfectly healthy for up to 10 years or more before showing any signs of AIDS.

In the meantime that person can unknow ingly infect others.

We cannot afford to believe that because of the seemingly small number of reported

AIDS cases, the Pacific remains “safe” from AIDS. HIV infection is here, and will continue to spread. We need to overcome our reluctance to discuss the sexual trans mission of STDs in an open and honest way. To do less is nothing short of negli gence, especially for future generations.

On average, according to data available from 14 island nations, there are 20 HIV cases per country. ■