Spatial Patterns Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) In The Accra Metropolitan Area (Ama)

ABSTRACT

Nearly two decades into the outbreak, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread

throughout sub-Saharan Africa with complex spatio-temporal variability within

countries Based on epidemiological evidence, several broadly distinctive

HIV/AIDS prevalence patterns have been reported reflecting a variety of

factors such as sophistication in surveillance systems, political attitudes,

openness towards recognition, and release of AIDS information. This thesis

examines the geography of clinical AIDS in the Accra Metropolitan Accra

^AMA) using epidemiological evidence. Available data on contacts and

sexually transmitted disease histories of infected people are used to

reconstruct AIDS dispersal from geographical perspectives to ascertain the

spread patterns in Accra. It is observed that the epidemic has become more

diffused and has spread from among the initial 'high risk groups’ to tho

general population Reported evidence points to a possible increase in

intensity in the coming years since the co-factors (e g STD, unsafe sex) and

the forces (e g poverty and increasing mobility) that impel the spread of the

epidemic persist In the absence of a medical cure, a major public health

problem and a generalised spread pattern are predicted if there are no social

interventions