HIV IN AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES

HIV IN AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES

                                                           BY

                                                  Autry Haynes

The Amerindian population of Guyana is approximately 70,000 representing 9.2% of the country's population.  The majority of this indigenous population group lives in the rainforested hinterland comprising Administratives regions 1,7,8 and 9.   The geographic location of these regions, far from the coastland where 70% of Guyana's population live, results in disparities and inequality of national sevices, including health and social services.   According to 2004 data, HIV prevalence rates among the indigenous populations were still low.  However, the Government recognizes that underreporting of HIV is a problem.   The Ministry of Health estimates 60% underreporting of cases, the result of which is that the true magnitude and determinants of the epidemic are largely unknown and it can be assumed to be even worse where indigenous people are concerned.

The HIV epidemic in Guyana is a serious public health problem, with negative economic and social implications.  Any loss or reduction of human capital and earning potential is devastating in the Guyana context where, according to the 2006 Annual Report of the Ministry of Health, AIDS- related deaths ranked as the number one cause of death among persons aged 25 to 44 years.

Several government and non-governmental agencies, institutions and organisations have been contributing to prevention and mitigation of HIV and its effects in the indigenous communities.  Aquick review of some work done by these agencies seem to indicate that while HIV remains a threat to the public's health and wellbeing, the incidence among indigenous people remains low.   Notwithstanding this, there must be a concerted effort for sustained initiatives to reduce risk and vulnerabilities by stimulating greater local HIV prevention, treatment, care and support responses and local ownership based on existing strengths within the Amerindian population.

The community Life Competence Process is being advocated as learning by sharing interactive and participatory approach to communities taking ownership and responses for coping with concerns and using strengths to realizing their hopes.   The communities are taken through a six step process of envisioning, self-assess, analysing and prioritisin, and planning for action, initially by using existing strengths.