The Response to AIDS: Contrasting Governmental Approaches in Africa

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2003

Disciplines

Political Science | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Advisor

Gary Prevost, Political Science

Abstract

AIDS, the blood disease acquired immune deficiency syndrome has spread the world over. The virus has devastated, ravaged and thrived most notably on the African continent. Of the 40 million persons infected with AIDS worldwide 28.5 million of them are located in sub-Saharan Africa. The issue of AIDS in Africa is a timely and important topic because the African AIDS pandemic has become a threat to world security. The disease has been allowed to flourish since its emergence due to delayed reactions on the part of many African governments. It was not until the disease reached pandemic proportions that the magnitude of AIDS was realized. An examination of the governmental structures of four African countries, Botswana, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe will illustrate how the governmental structures within these countries enable or hinder the ability of African civil societies, international organizations, Western governments, and non-governmental organizations to combat AIDS.

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