CANADA: RESEARCHERS AT AIDS CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER SAY PREGNANT WOMEN ARE AT RISK OF AIDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX

Record ID: 649403

  • Title: CANADA: RESEARCHERS AT AIDS CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER SAY PREGNANT WOMEN ARE AT RISK OF AIDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX
  • Date: 9th July 1996
  • Summary: STILL OF HER SON 1.49
  • Embargoed: 24th July 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VANCOUVER AND MONTREAL, CANADA
  • Country: Canada
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVA9YKNPLEGZ6B7BMN4FVCYLNUEN
  • Story Text: - INTRO: Researchers at an international AIDS conference in Vancouver have said pregnant women are at extreme risk of AIDS simply because they've had unprotected sex.

    ----------------------------------------------------------Four out of ten people infected with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) worldwide are woman, scientists at an AIDS conference in Vancouver, Canada have heard, and they were told by researchers that the situation requires urgent action.

    Doctor Yvonne Bryson from the University of California said the challenge was now making education and intervention more available worldwide.

    Researchers also claimed most children with AIDS were infected by their own mother during pregnancy.

    By using AZT during pregnancy, expectant mothers reduce the risk of transmission to their unborn baby by 25 per cent, they added.

    Doctor Lapointe from Montreal's St Justine hospital said using AZT gave the best result for the treatment of unborm babies.

    Its use in prevention was something never dreamed of five years ago.

    One HIV positive mother, Sarhi Fecht said getting pregnant involved risk behaviour. It was important for women at risk to be taught about HIV, she added.
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