My HIV/AIDS assignment...

HIV/AIDS...

What is HIV/AIDS???

HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

This is a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections.

Statistics…

v      51% (approximately 25, 66 million) of the population is female.

v      Gauteng comprises the largest share of the SA population, with approximately 11, 19 million people (22, 4 %) live in this province.

v      KZN. Is the province with the second largest share with 10, 65 million people (21, 3 %) living in this province.

v      Northern Cape with a population of approximately 1, 10 million people is this province with the smallest share in SA.

Aged younger than 15 years…

v      Nearly one-third (31, 0 %)

v      Approximately 23% (3, 52 mil.) live in KZN and 19, 3% (2, 99 mil.) live in Gauteng

Aged 60 years and older…

v      7, 6% (3, 8 mil.)

Aged between 15-49 years…

v      An Estimated 17% of the population is HIV positive.

Something interesting…

v      Life expectancy at birth is estimated at 53, 3 years for males and 55, 2 years for females!!!

Table 1: Mid-year population estimates for SA by population group and sex, 2010…

Population group	Male		Female		Total
	Number	% of total population	Number	% of total population	Number	% of total population
African	19314500	79,4	2036810	79,4	39682600	79,4
Coloured	2124900	8,7	2299200	9,0	4424100	8,8
Indian /Asian	646600	2,7	653300	2,5	1299900	2,6
White	224300	9,2	2341700	9,1	4584700	9,2
National	24329000	100,0	25662300	100,0	49991300	100,0

Table 2: Mid-year population estimates by province,2010…

	Population estimates	% share of the total population
Eastern Cape	6743800	13,5
Free State	2824500	5,7
Gauteng	11191700	22,4
KZN	10645400	21,3
Limpopo	5439600	10,9
Mpumalanga	3617600	7,2
Northern Cape	1103900	2,2
North West	3200900	6,4
Western Cape	5223900	10,4
TOTAL	49991300	100,0

Region	Adults & Children Living with HIV/AIDS	Adults & Children newly infected	Adult prevalence	AIDS-related deaths in adult & Children
Sub Saharan Africa	22, 5 mil.	1, 8 mil.	5, 0%	1, 3 mil.
North Africa & Middle east	460, 00	75, 00	0, 2%	24, 000
South and South East Asia	4, 1 mil	270, 00	0, 3%	260, 00
East Asia	770,00	82, 00	<0,1%	36, 00
Oceania	57, 00	4, 500	0, 3%	1, 400
Central & South America	1, 4 mil.	92, 000	0, 5%	58, 000
Caribbean	240, 00	17, 000	1, 0%	12, 000
Easter Europe & Central Asia	1, 4 mil.	130, 000	0, 8%	76, 000
North America	1, 5 mil.	70, 000	0, 5%	26, 000
Western & Central Europe	820, 00	31, 000	0, 2%	8, 500
GLOBAL TOTAL	33, 3 mil.	2, 6 mil.	0, 8%	1, 8 mil.

Other Facts about HIV/AIDS…

Over the past 27 years, nearly 25 million people have died from AIDS. HIV/AIDS causes debilitating illness and premature death in people during their prime years of life and has devastated families and communities.

v      ART- This is a Antiretroviral Therapy which extends people with HIV/AIDS lives.

v      HIV- Infection results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, breaking down the body’s ability to fend off infections and diseases.

v      AIDS- Refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or related cancers.

v      HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (Vaginal or anal) or oral sex with an infected person, transfusions of contaminated blood, and the sharing of contaminated needles, syringes or other sharp instruments. Also between a mother and her baby during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

v      33, 4 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide. An estimated 2, 7 million people were newly infected with the virus in 2008.

v      HIV/AIDS is the world’s leading infectious killer claiming to date more than 27 million lives. An estimated 2 million people die every year from HIV/AIDS.

v      ART- Antiretroviral Therapy prevents the HIV virus from multiplying in the body. If the reproduction of the HIV virus stops, the body immune cells are able to live longer and provide the body with protection from infections.

v      According to the 2008 figures there are more than 2 million children living with HIV/AIDS. The number of children receiving ART increased from about 75 000 in 2005 to 355 000 in 2009. 

Some of the history of HIV/AIDS in SA…

KwaZulu-Natal

2001 - 35, 5 %

2002 - 36, 5 %

2003 - 37, 5%

2004 - 40, 7%

2005 - 39, 1%

2006 - 39, 1%

2007 - 38, 7%

2008 - 38, 7%

2009 - 39, 5%

Mpumalanga

2001 - 29, 2%

2002 - 28, 6%

2003 - 32, 6%

2004 - 30, 8%

2005 - 34, 8%

2006 - 32, 1%

2007 - 34, 6%

2008 - 35, 5%

2009 - 34, 7%

Freestate

2001 - 30, 1%

2002 - 28, 8%

2003 - 30, 1%

2004 - 29, 5%

2005 - 30, 3%

2006 - 31, 1%

2007 - 31, 5%

2008 – 32, 9%

2009 – 30, 1%

National  statistics of SA…

2001 – 24, 8%

2002 – 26, 5%

2003 – 27, 9%

2004 – 29, 5%

2005 – 30, 2%

2006 – 29, 1%

2007 – 29, 4%

2008 – 29, 3%

2009 – 29, 4%

Our excitement of the day... =)

This morning we went to the cattle camp to collect some cow dung for our earthworm compost.I really enjoyed the ecology part of it and where we had to collect specimens!Each student had to collect a insect and put it in Formalin which at the end of the day kills it.

We also went to the 400h and drank water out of the "Fountain"  which is a once in a lifetime experience,because it's a very rare thing to see.

What a fun day! 

Fire on Sondela!

Fire checks

It's very important for us students to do a daily fire check on the Buffalo,Volvo one and two,and the Hilux's compressor.We need to check the water,oil,nozzles,lights,petrol/diesel water in tanks,and if the vehicle starts.When we've checked everything it's important to write it down in the fire check book.We need to do the fire checks every morning and night.

This afternoon an unexpected fire started on the Erasmus's farm,apparently someone lid the grass on fire which weren't very clever because we had winds  which jumped between 25 and 30 km/h.

When the fire alarm went off  us RG students had to make sure we get at maintenance asap!!!We had to take all the fire suits,flappe,backpack sprays,helmets,goggles,gas masks,fire gel and the first aid kit and put it in the Hilux. After we carried out all of the equipment we had to take eight six pack waters for the fire fighters.

Luckily everyone came back without any injuries and with the relief of a extinguished fire.

Well done!!! 

RG - Unit Standard: Identify & Monitor Local Wildlife...

Specific Outcome 1

• Explain the purpose and state the principles of wildlife monitoring.

AC1: A clear and concise explanation is given on the purpose of wildlife identification and monitoring activities.
AC2: Appropriate methods of wildlife monitoring in the area of operation is listed and explained.

Specific Outcome 2

• Identify local plants and animal species including their sign,spoor and habitat.

AC1: Key local species in the operational area are identified by their common names.
AC2: Spoor of key species is recognized to ensure accurate monitoring.
AC3: Simple keys are used to identify species.
AC4: Habitats used by wildlife are identified and explained.

Specific Outcome 3

• Count the local plants and animals.

AC1: An accurate count is made of the key plant and animal species as it relates to the area of operation.
AC2: An explanation is given of the data gathering methods used for the counting of local plants and animals.
AC3: An accurate report is drafted and presented on the results obtained.

Specific Outcome 4

• Determine the locality of animals, plants and abiotic elements.

AC1: A simple map is used to locate and record the location of animals and plants as per identified needs and organizational requirements.
AC2: A report is prepared to describe relevant abiotic factors.

Specific Outcome 5

• Record information on species observed.

AC1: Relevant information about local species is measured or recorded to promote effective wildlife monitoring.
AC2: A report that summarizes the data collected is prepared and presented according to organizational requirements. 

RG - Fences...

Specific outcome 1

• Prepare fencing area

AC1: Mark your boundaries with beacons to know      what area should be fenced.
AC2: The area is cleared in order to start with preparation of fencing.
AC3: Level the preferred area where you want to put up the fence.
AC4: Do a preparation on a map on where you want to put up the fence,also look at the area to see where the trees are,you need to do this planning in order to know how much fence you need.

Specific Outcome 2  

•  Erect and dismantle a fence

AC1: Erect and dismantle the fence according to your unit standard.
AC2: The fence is erected on a prescribed line.
AC3: Electrification is added to a fence according to indicated specifications.
AC4: A sacrificial or folding fence is constructed at a river crossing.
AC5: A fence is dismantled as directed by a supervisor in line with organizational standards.

Specific Outcome 3

• Monitor the fence for effectiveness.

AC1: Regular patrols are conducted to gather information on the locations,the number of incidents,and the species involved in fence breaking.
AC2: A report is prepared to communicate findings on the effectiveness of the fence.
AC3: There's an assessment on what's required to repair weakness in the fence.
AC4: A description is given of the problems that neighboring communities experience as a result of animals breaking the fence.

Specific Outcome 4

• Maintain the fence

AC1: A fence is repaired to ensure that it always meets the prescribed standard.
AC2: River crossings are repaired to the prescribed standard.
AC3: Weaknesses in a fence are identified and corrected using appropriate techniques, tools and equipment.

 
 

Erosion =D

Soil Erosion is the removal of top soil through actions like weather conditions like rain,snow or wind,then you also get other natural causes like animals.Erosion is also caused by us humans.

Types of EROSION...

Sheet Erosion: At the 'Springbok vlaktes'

Rill Erosion: The "Dienspad".There's a lot Rill Erosion because of the vehicles.

Gully Erosion: At Tambuki,there's a ditch next to the road.

How can we control EROSION???There are different techniques...

• Branching: Place branches on the area where you want to protect it from animals crossing or eating it.
• Gabions: Baskets with rocks in them,to prevent the rocks from falling into the roads for example.
• Active seedling: Seeds from a fast growing indigenous grass can be planted. Their growth points are very close to ground level and they often form stolons and or rhizomes which are good at stabilizing the soil. Grasses survive in difficult conditions. They break the speed of runoff water and of raindrops and protect the soil against wind and this protects seed bank. The plant bases collect organic material that improves the nutritional status of the soil.
• Biomac Soil blankets: Natural degradable blankets are placed over the soil, which protects the soil and aids in seed production and grass growth.
• Correct farming methods: Contour farming is the correct way to plant crops. This method follows the natural life of the land, preventing excessive runoff.
• Stream bank protection: Wooden barrier is placed on the bank of a river to slow down the water and reduces the strength of the water.
• Stones: Stones and rocks could be packed to form walls, which check the flow of the water and trap soil.
• Windbreaks: Natural windbreaks can be planted using indigenous trees and shrubs in areas where erosion by wind is a main factor.