AMERICA/MEXICO - The number of children infected by HIV is increasing in Chiapas

Tuxtla (Agenzia Fides) - HIV-positive children in the Mexican state of Chiapas continue to increase. The "Fundación Nuestro Hogar en Chiapas" currently assists 40 indigenous children of the North and Altos affected by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), even if the exact number of infections throughout the state is not precisely known and it is believed that it increases every day. The problem is not only certain age groups or certain social classes, in indigenous areas there is greater risk because of lack of adequate awareness campaigns in the indigenous language. The spread of the virus also contributes to drug use. The children receive the social contribution they need, based mainly on food, school supplies, uniforms, but even if the state provides antiretroviral treatment, unfortunately, many of these children are orphans of father, mother or both parents, and live with grandparents or uncles and aunts who are often not able to handle the administration of drugs. Many of these children have been infected by prenatal transmission from mothers, during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 05/12/2011)