Abstract

PIP: In Senegal, AIDS was 1st discovered in December 1986 going from 6 cases in 1987, to 181 in 1988, to 269 in 1989, and to 361 in June of 1990. Senegal has the HIV-2 virus, which has a longer incubation period than the HIV-1 virus and its incidence is becoming a growing problem. Unlike most other countries in Africa, Senegal did not institute an AIDS program with the World Health Organization; but signed a contract with Harvard, Tours and Lomoges Universities to undertake research on AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, prostitution, tuberculosis, infectious diseases, cancer, and diseases of internal medicine. The project established: 1) an epidemiological surveillance system with prostitutes, patients with STD's, tuberculosis, cancer, problems of internal medicine and pregnant women; and 2) a diagnostic referral center for West Africa with a bacteriology-virology laboratory in le Dantec Hospital. This hospital has trained most West African biologists and produced the 1st epidemiological studies in West Africa. In 1986, after receiving the 1st results of an epidemiological survey on prostitutes and the incidence of STD's, the government created The National Multidisciplinary Committee for the Prevention of AIDS which includes a National Component made-up of an epidemiological, clinical, information and ethical/judicial and research groups; Regional Committees, an Executive Committee and a Mixed Committee for Follow-Up and Coordination. The Roles played by each of these committees interface at a National level to safeguard the fight against AIDS and STDs in Senegal.