Household survey of HIV-Prevalence and Behaviour in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe, 2005

A baseline study

Implementation of the programmes intended to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) is a major challenge, particularly in developing countries. Despite the controversies about Nevirapine (NVP) resistance, safety and efficacy, it is still widely acclaimed and used in most resource-limited countries because it is affordable, easy-to-use and practical. This study identifies the gaps in NVP use for PMTCT in a rural setting, where almost 42% of pregnant women have no access to healthcare facilities and deliver at home, with the support of traditional birth assistants or family members. As a result, many rural HIV-positive pregnant women deliver without the opportunity of PMTCT therapy provided by ante-natal clinics.

Mother-to-child transmission is by far the largest source of HIV infection in children below the age of 15. This report presents the results of research conducted at a pilot site in the Eastern Cape into the use of resources associated with the implementation of a PMTCT (prevention of mother-to-child transmission) programme.

Many of the goals of South Africas new democracy depend on the production of professionals who have not only the knowledge and skills to make our country globally competitive, but also a commitment to working and living here. Despite numerous reforms, the South African health system, ten years into democracy, remains divided: first world private care that ranks with middle income countries internationally at the one end, and at the other extreme, in the rural public sector in particular, conditions that are superior only to the poorest of African countries. Much work has been done to change medical school curricula in line with the primary health-care focus of government policy, and international trends towards problem-based learning. The student profile in medical schools is now not only more representative of the demographics of South Africa, but also reveals a significant increase in female students. Whether these students will stay in the country after graduating, and serve where they are needed most, remains to be seen.

Care in Context is a thought-provoking book that looks at gender inequalities in the context of care. Drawing in part from unique transnational perspectives and gripping interviews, this book focuses on key questions that intellectuals, policy makers and all of us who care and need care have to ask, such as: What is good care? Who should be involved in providing it? And how should care be arranged and organized so that that the interests of both care givers and care recipients are equally provided for?
Care is indispensable to human flourishing. Without it we cannot survive. It is vital to the development of all individuals and to that of the broader society. Increasing economic and health problems have also contributed to mounting care crises in different parts of the world. With this view, the book offers fresh and nuanced perspectives and is a definite must read for all those affected by issues of care.