Page 178 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

3. Poverty and Unemployment
Poverty and unemployment is another major cause of prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nepal.
Many people go to India and other countries for employment. When they stay outside
home for a long period of time they may involve in sexual relationship with prostitutes
or sex workers. If they establish unsafe sexual relation with infected sex workers, they
get infected with HIV/AIDS. When they return to their home, they transmit HIV/AIDS to
their sex-partner.

4. Lack of Sex Education or Lack of Awareness
In Nepal, many people are totally ignorant about sex, sexual intercourse and sexually
transmitted diseases are not discussed openly in our society. Even husband and wife do
not discuss openly in our society regarding sex issues. So they do not know about HIV/
AIDS, its transmission and preventive and control measures. They involve in unsafe
sexual activities due to ignorance and hence may get HIV infection.

5. Social Taboos About Open Discussion on STDs
Due to social taboos, we do not discuss openly about sexually transmitted diseases. Many
people do not talk about STDs and hide their disease. They do not share their problems
related to STDs even to the doctor. Many people still believe that to talk about STDs is
against the social norms and values. This is another reason of prevalence of HIV/AIDS in
Nepal.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending in which of the four stages it presents
viz. primary, secondary, latent and tertiary.
The primary stage of syphilis classically presents with a single chancre (a firm, painless and
non-itchy ulceration) but there may be multiple sores. In secondary syphilis, a diffuse rash
occurs, which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may
also be sores in mouth or vagina. In latent syphilis, there are few or no symptoms. In tertiary
syphilis, there are gummas (soft non-cancerous growths), neurological or heart symptoms.

Do You Know
• Syphilis has been known as the great
imitator as it may cause symptoms
similar to many other diseases.

Fig: 4
Electron micrograph of
Treponema pallidum

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