-Caveat Lector- http://cnn.com/1999/WORLD/africa/12/01/bc.aids.nigeria.reut/index.html Nigeria on verge of AIDS explosion, says study December 1, 1999 Web posted at: 12:26 PM EST (1726 GMT) LAGOS, Nigeria (Reuters) -- Nigeria is on the verge of an AIDS explosion that could kill millions and wreak untold economic damage, a new report warned on Thursday. The study released to coincide with World AIDS day showed overall HIV infection rates in Africa's most populous nation of 5.4 percent, climbing as high as 21 percent in the worst affected areas. "Having reached prevalence of over five percent Nigeria has entered the stage where the epidemic is likely to increase at an exponential rate if adequate national response is not mounted," the study said. Like other West African countries, Nigeria has been less severely affected by the epidemic than eastern and southern Africa. But its population of more than 108 million means that it already has more people infected with the HIV virus which leads to AIDS than many other African countries. "This is bound to have a major socio-economic impact on Nigerian society, including reduced life expectancy, increased burden of medical care, increase in the number of orphans and decline in economic growth," the report said. Researchers say any change in sexual behaviour as a result of fear of infection has been limited, even following the 1997 death of popular and extremely promiscuous Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti from an AIDS related illness. Fighting HIV infection has not been the highest priority in a country where diseases like malaria and diarrhoea kill much more quickly and health structures are left dilapidated after the end this year of 15 years of corrupt military rule. President Olusegun Obasanjo has promised to make the fight against AIDS a priority despite his other challenges of ending murderous ethnic conflicts and reviving a moribund economy. "President Obasanjo said that he was determined to personally lead the national war against the scourge," a statement from the presidency said on Wednesday, adding that a comprehensive programme would soon be put in place. In some parts of Nigeria it is already too late to stop the explosion, spread mostly by heterosexual intercourse. The report showed that HIV infection rates had increased by as much as 700 percent in the worst hit regions since the last survey in 1995 and said 4.9 million Nigerians could be infected over the next five years. United Nations projections released in August showed infection could reach 10 percent of the population by 2005. Worst hit according to the report are Benue and Taraba states -- two key agricultural areas -- in northern central Nigeria, southeastern Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States, and the big commercial centres of southwestern Lagos and northern Kaduna. Copyright 1999 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ======================= Robert F. Tatman Computer Help Desk Desktop & LAN Services Systems Department Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 215.854.2729 215.854.2788 The contents of this message represent the opinion only of the writer, and may not be construed to indicate the endorsement of Knight-Ridder, Inc.; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; The Philadelphia Inquirer; or the Philadelphia Daily News. "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
