HIV/AIDS
Whereas, of the 405 deaths recorded in the age group 45-64 years, 27 were due to HIV/AIDS.The major mode of transmission is through heterosexual contact. Approximately 89% of the reported cases of HIV/AIDS occur within the
sexually active age group 15 to 49 years. One in every three cases is female. The reduction of mother to child HIV transmission has resulted from Government’s policy to provide Zidovudine [AZT] to all pregnant women who were HIV positive.
Currently, Government has also introduced the highly active anti-retroviral therapy [HAART]. This will result in HIV/AIDS infected persons living longer and experiencing a better quality of life. The National HIV/AIDS Commission was established to provide the Government of Barbados with a mechanism by which to effectively coordinate and manage a multisectoral, expanded national programme for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
The Commission is charged with the responsibility of:
• Coordinating and implementing the five-year GOB/IBRD HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project - a subset of the National HIV/AIDS Programme;
• Advising Government on overall policy directives;
• Building and/or strengthening strategic partnerships to manage, control and reduce the spread of the disease
• Forging multi-sectoral collaborations; and
• Monitoring and evaluating the programme.
Guidelines
The senior health official advised persons who suspect that they may be infected to go to their doctor or to the nearest polyclinic, as soon as possible. Individuals are also advised to drink plenty of clear fluids, e.g. water or clear soup, but not fruit juices.Over-the-counter(selfprescribed)anti-diarrheal medications should not be taken, as they may prolong the course of the illness.
Persons should adhere to proper hygiene practices when preparing and handling foods and separation of raw and cooked foods and storage of foods at a correct temperature as some of the measures to be observed.