1. The myth of child rape as a cure for HIV/AIDS in Transkei: a case report.
South Africa has one of the highest cases of HIV/AIDS infection in Africa, and Transkei, a former black homeland, now a part of the Eastern Cape Province, is one locality with a large number of HIV/AIDS sufferers. The unemployment level is very high and crime, including child rape, is very common. This report presents the case of a victim of rape, a nine-year old female child who was brought to the Umtata General Hospital, a victim of the mistaken belief that sex with a virgin will cure an HIV-infected person or AIDS sufferer of his illness. The alleged rapist was an HIV-positive uncle of the child. The myth of the 'HIV/AIDS virgin cure' is prevalent in the community. The history, physical examination and laboratory investigations of this case are given. A conclusion is drawn and preventive methods are suggested.
Meel
B L
BL
Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Transkei P/bag X1 Unitra, Umtata 5100, South Africa. meel@getafix.utr.ac.za
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009229:Mythology; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D013019:South Africa