TY - JOUR PY - 2003// TI - The myth of child rape as a cure for HIV/AIDS in Transkei: a case report JO - Medicine, science, and the law A1 - Meel, B. L. SP - 85 EP - 88 VL - 43 IS - 1 N2 - 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.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0025-8024 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -