AIDS Awareness in Qatar

lol Gypsy, well I should have known better seeing as you are the founder (or at least member) of Sarcastics Anonymous Group on QL.

Next time I'll put 'compliment' in brackets ;)

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Love is the answer...

Hi Gypsy. I totally agree with everything you've said.

The pamphlet is, in essence, completely right.

HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease, so sexual freedom will help it spread. Its spread is also assisted by needle sharing and medical negligence. But principally it is spread through sexual activity.

I have more than a few Qatari male friends who are all very, very, very sexually active. They boast to me about their trips overseas spent basically screwing everyone they meet - male, female, housekeeping staff... whatever. (I'm not going to get into the rights and wrongs of homosexuality here - to do so would be to totally muddy the water and miss the point.)

These guys have received no sexual education.

* They are never going to see these girls again so they aren't concerned with issues of paternity (even less of a concern where other men a involved).

* They are Qatari, so they hardly risk deportation for contracting AIDS.

* But most importantly, they are TOTALLY unaware of the risks. For some, I doubt they even know it exists. We're talking about people who are still undecided about whether or not seatbelts are useful. They are hardly going to use condoms.

Unless and until groups like the Red Crescent accept that there is a huge educational problem here regarding HIV/AIDS, there is going to be a massive epidemic here in Qatar.

It's all well and good to say that people living good, virtuous lifestyles are unlikely to contract the virus, but most of the Qatari guys I've met could hardly be said to be living good, virtuous lifestyles (and that includes the married ones). They have to stop preaching about how they're all good muslims and westerners are all debauched perverts, and see the truth.

Medo.. one more thing. (I HATE IT... GYPSY.. we have to again talk the same) whatever... here it is

.... no expat will be allowed to enter Qatar with such a disease.. and anyone found here will be deported within no notice.. so who will go where now Medo ?????

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Medo: what was that...

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Medo AIDS is spreading quickly among Qataris, where would you suggest they go?

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

I agree with Gypsy

Qatar Red Crescent should change the AIDS awareness to be as following

1) "In countries with sexual freedom, homosexuality and abnormal forms of sexual practices, AIDS has spread quickly" so go back to your country

2) "The only sure way for protection against AIDS is having a sex with each one you meet man woman anyone and never think to marry or to have family it is Unsafe

LOL DG. you know with this site that sometimes things don't come across the right way. Also I'm awful at taking a compliment. My boyfriend gets frustrated with it all the time.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

I don't think she's trying to hijack Skdkak, I think she might be referring to women being a "carrier" for the virus, as is the case with some STD's (in that women don't often show symptoms). However with AIDS neither men or women will show symptoms until the it as gone from HIV into full blown AIDS.

Thanks DG. :D I've got tons of ideas for them, hopefully they'll be open to suggestion.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

For the record Gypsy, I was paying you a compliment. Apologies if it came across as sarcastic *note to self...must improve compliments*

The number I have for Qatar Red Crescent is 4435111. You will get an automated answer first in Arabic and then an instruction in English to press 0 to reach an operater.

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Love is the answer...

I was referring to "Women are usually the passenger".u know how things change in QL and only did a prior warning for not highjacking the thread to who and how the passengers become.

Maybe i was a bit too early in warning.

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I think everyone is sticking to the topic. :S

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

stick to the topic guys.

mariam.. y do u think women are passengers... that was a bad comment.

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How do you mean passenger Mariam?

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Men should be aware of the life time effect of the virus. Men should think twice. The virus have no time to choose. Men should know that even only once, if it happened, then no excuse to say, just once...

Mind that even women, sometime forgets that virus is for both men and women . Women are usually the passenger, pls. correct me to this if i am wrong.

Welcome Gypsy, if you get stuck I can ask your questions in Arabic ( In case you may ask why Frog is being so kind, ...It's just the coming vacation effect :D)though I don't know what you will be asking for . Anyway, thanks for the subject, I'm looking at interesting things on their site.

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Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

Thanks a lot Frog. :) Hopefully they will have someone who speaks a bit of English or else it will be time to break out my Arab/English dictionary. lol.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Gypsy,

The Numbers you asked for :

Their Hotline 5884707

For Donations : 4435111/ 4411154

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All parent are the same Gypsy, they all worries about our virginity. LOL

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

ROFL! Well at least your brother in law had your best interests in mind. My parents just didn't let me date at 13. :P

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

And I also remember when I was 13 years old my first date ever with a boy (normally we go as a group) my brother in-law (Australian) gave me two condoms and asked me to keep in my purse. I was shocked and so embarrashed (i dont even think about sex at the time i was just thiking the first holding hand, sit closed together but not sex). but he think differently and he make me listen to what he says " i dont want you go home pregnant in one month time or caugh any STD" and he make me go have a date and take the condoms and promise him to use it if really thing happening. now i am thinking if i live with my parent i dont think they let me go have a date at years of 13 and give me two condoms. they dont even want me to hangout with boys at all.

I see the difference of two cultures and i learned the best of the two.

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

Basically it irrelevant how many locals have contracted the disease and in any case expats will be deported if they don't die first.

The media can play an important role as well as schools and colleges

"In 2006, nine new cases came to light and so far this year, seven new cases have been reported, Al Khal pointed out.

The media, he said, can play a crucial role in spreading public awareness about the disease and help fight social taboos and the stigma attached to HIV/Aids. People fight shy of seeking treatment for the disease fearing society, but if they do, it would help the authorities prevent the disease from spreading.

Likewise, Islamic scholars can also play a key role by creating awareness about the disease in their sermons and speeches. Scholars in Egypt have already begun a campaign, Dr Khadija Moalla, Regional Coordinator of the UNDP's HIV/Aids programme in Arab states, told the symposium.

She said HIV/Aids victims in the Arab world were estimated to be between 250,000 and 500,000 and the disease was spreading at an alarming rate in the Middle East".

Part of the report from Peninsula

When I was young my mother always send me to the pharmacy to buy ladies thingies, and till this day it still embarresses me this is why I like supermarkets better now - no need to ask just buy and don't look at the counter clerk lol.

Back to the subject - not looking and being embarrassed discussing it does not help to cure Aids of course

Here is the link to today headlines regarding AIDS and more than half of the victims are Nationals.

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=November2007&file=Local_News2007110734251.xml

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

I remember when I was alot youngers, I come to pharmacy and ask for Condoms and the girl stare at me and start speaking slowly to the other shop watcher and It get me to my nerves and I just lost it. I tell her is not her damn business if I buy condoms or not and she should be happy I purchased the condoms in her shop not other shop (ever thinking of profit?). It was such embarrashing moment but I am proud I can defend myself when I needed it.

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

ROFL CB. I wasn't that bad but my parents never really discussed it with me either. They handed me a book when I was 13 called the birds and the bees which litteraly had disgrams of everything from slugs to people and how they reproduce. :P

In all honesty I learned everything I needed to know about sex ed from my health classes in school.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

True, but another main issue is in this part of the world I think (don't know but think) sex is not discussed openly as it is still very hush hush. Being quite honest when I was young, my parents never discussed it with us either - when people started kissing on TV we were all sent to bed lol, so we were left pretty much on our own and until I was 16 I still thought kissing a boy made you pregnant.

few days ago i went to pharmacy to buy some medicine. when i looked up the shelf damn so many condoms with flavors was funny wanted to laugh so much there.

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Ged on your bike and ride off into the sunshine, a great deal would help if men weren't always trying to get women into bed and then not usiing a condom wouldn't you say!!!!!!

A big part of combating the disease is getting over this "embarrasment" about it and the idea that it's a "dirty" disease spread through illicit sex. Perhaps it was when it started, but unfortunatly now that's just not true. It's spread through ignorance, lack of clean needles and blood, and fear.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Even if it has been discussed on other threads - I am grateful that you posted this again - it doesn't matter on how many threads it is posted as long as the necessary awareness is brough steadily to mind. Good job and I do think any good advice towards preventing Aids is a job well done.

It is shyness (how dumb to even stake ur life too) for asking a condom fm a shop and the same bloody shyness for a man to wear. If a lady (Read wife) reminds of condom to her husband, she will be lashed (not the way they lash ladies here in ME but in a diff. way.

So, yes. it is education / social problems and sometimes MCP attitude that helps them get the disease.

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Um... Could someone go to www.qrcs.net and translate a contact number for me. I just don't have the stamina to try and get the number from Q-Tel this morning. :S

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

You guys talk too much dont you think so. and in end still all remains the same :/ damn it give me some result :?

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Aids was swept under the carpet for a long time in Western countries to hide the shame of contracting such a disease, nowadays people are much more open to it because of the constant education and introduction on television explaining just how many ways it can be contracted.

I think the idea of improving the pamphlet is a good idea but perhaps also handing out pamphlets through HMC and Primary Health Care would also help the information system work. I think (and above all traditions)this should also be introduced or a least discussion rounds on the TV.

2) "The only sure way for protection against AIDS is having a normal family life and sticking to a religious code of behaviour."

This statement will not help protect people from aids as many men and women do and will not adhere to it apart from contaminated blood - and as I mentioned previously, it would be a great advantage to have own blood supplies for the case of serious accidents with blood transfusions.

:S I hope you're not being sarcastic DG. I hope they're willing to let us work on it.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

I know Skdak, so if you look at prevalence by population, you'll see South Africa is acutally number 5 and a Western country (The US) appears at number 69.

AIDS spreads because of lack of education and access to condoms, etc, no other reason.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Oh Gypsy, that would be wonderful. I'm sure well-informed, articulate people like yourself can make such a difference with altruistic efforts. Well done habibti. It's very generous to give of your time.

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Love is the answer...

Just to quote my source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_HIV/AIDS_adult_prevalence_rate

It's interesting to note that the countries with the most amout of sexual freedom and acceptance of homosexuality, Canada, Netherlands and Australia are ranked 61, 75 and 83 respectively. Below all the African countries, India and China.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Morning Gypsy,

I dont want to highjack the thread. AIDS and its ratio was discussed in QL before also we shared some ratios in that thread.

However, I do not completely agree with AIDS patients more in third world like Africa / China & India. Population in these regions as mind bogling and increasing by the day and that is also a reason for these regions becoming #1 in AIDS diseases.

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DG I was actually talking to my friend (a graphic designer) about this. We're thinking we might try and contact them this week and volunteer our services.

Poet, welcome back, Yes South Africa has the highest AIDS rates in the world, and the white minority in the country tends to be more supportive of homosexuality and sexual freedom. However, since the other 19 countries that top the list are all African nations as well, and statistics show that AIDS isn't as prevalent in the white minority, it would go to show that it's NOT condoning homosexuality or sexual freedom that is spreading the disease but rather lack of education.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

That religion's regulations vis a vis the number of partners allowed changes from one religion to another....some say just ONE....some say 4 at a time.....some allow this Zawaj Al Mut'aa (which in my opinion is sanctioned prostitution)...etc...

So WHICH religion were you referring to?

Religion has nothing to do with it...AIDS is a global phenomenon affecting EVERY country (to some degree or another) on this planet....and to assume that it is only the problem of the "west" or promiscuous societies is just plain ignorant. and yes Poet, some societies have MORE of a problem than others, but isn't it better to arm ALL societies with the right information?

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Poet, or should I say Airsupply...welcome back! long time no see :-D

that you were unable to see the "almost" before the 0%

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing,

there is a field…I’ll meet you there

When the soul lies down in that grass

the world is too full to talk about

salax, I have re-read your last paragraph several times but still don't understand what you're trying to say. Apologies for my inability to comprehend.

And I also don't understand why you want me to 'correct you now'. I don't believe I was trying to correct you in the first place, I was simply asking you why you thought it was sad to point out errors, and expressing my dislike of your comments towards gypsy.

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Get your figures right.Instead of assuming that Gulf states HIV/AIDS rates are 0%!!!

http://www.emro.who.int/asd/events-wac-2005-Statistics.htm

is very much tolerent with homosexuality, does not allow polygamy, and has 1 of the highest rates of AIDS, period!

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing,

there is a field…I’ll meet you there

When the soul lies down in that grass

the world is too full to talk about

Yeah, the leaflets could certainly be improved on. Perhaps you could go to Qatar Red Crescent and give them a few friendly suggestions on how to improve them? They are always appreciative of voluntary support for their work.

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Love is the answer...

Hmm, I wish they'd past out accurate information though. But you're right a step in the right direction.

And Poet, the AIDS crisis in South Africa is mostly among the traditional African community. And also South Africa is nowhere near as high as a lot of other countries.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

having the forsight to pass out information of something that most don't want to face...and that goes for any nationality or religion...

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

--Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Well, of course it wasn't only 'westerners' who got the pamphlets. I saw lots being handed out to pretty much anyone who was walking by regardless of how they looked or what they were wearing.

Kudos to Qtar Red Crescent for a step in the right direction.

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Love is the answer...

but the BIG word is IF...however..IF you check the stats on AIDS in the Middle East, you will see its on the rise among the nationals..so IF they are keeping their sexual activities to their ONE partner, how do you explain that???

Also a code of behavior isn't the only reason that creates monogamy...there's love...and that knows no boundaries in religion...even atheists can be monogamous

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

--Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Nationals account for half of reported AIDS cases in Qatar. The link you mentioned is here.

"Africa does not condone homosexuality in the slightest and it is seen as a Western invention. However I would say that 'sexual freedom' takes on a new dimension in Africa with polygamous traditions"

South Africa is among the highest in the world in AIDS, yet your above assumptions do not suit!

Arabs, in the 6 Gulf countries for example, practice polygamy all the time, yet AIDS is almost 0% among these arabs!

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing,

there is a field…I’ll meet you there

When the soul lies down in that grass

the world is too full to talk about

All what stealth?

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

u r damned if you do u r damned if you dont.

When is all this going to stop?

salax, why is it sad to point out and correct the errors? On an issue as important as this it is essential that information passed out to the public is as accurate as possible.

And your insinuations about gypsy are somewhat unnecessary and tasteless.

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Sure,this way there is more effort put in prevention or atleast in minimizing it.

Well, it wasn't just obvious westerners either. It was also people who were...um..rather flamboyently dressed. :P

Yes, it completely makes the effort null and void. But I'm really just trying to think that AT LEAST they were trying, even if they were giving out the wrong information and to the wrong people,

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Doesn't help if someone contracts that virus after marriage though.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

There is a move in India - to have all couples getting married to get tested for the Aids Virus compulsorily. something similar here as legislation could work better than just handing out pamphlets.

It is an epidemic and should be dealt with that much more agressively.

They're handing out pamphlets, that's reason enough to be positive.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

I mentioned blood transfusion because back in the late 80's and early 90's in Canada it came out that quite a few people had been infected through dirty blood (usually hemophiliacs) so these people could have been priests and nuns and they still got infected.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

Actually there was a post in the Gulf times explaining how many from each nation had been found to have the aids virus. However, no matter the % or ratio main thing is that this remains to be an often deadly virus and any information is better than none, however, I agree with RR possibly correct and more information would be appropriate in order that people understand just what is at stake.

Just one other point while blood transfusion was mentioned - it would be and idea to have your own blood stored for you in case you might ever need it - I don't know if this service is in Qatar yet it definately was in Germany - don't know about England

The pamphlets were in English and Arabic. English in the front and Arabic in the back. :)

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

1. Yes Africa does not condone homosexuality in the slightest and it is seen as a Western invention

However I would say that 'sexual freedom' takes on a new dimension in Africa with polygamous traditions.

I travelled down the 'aids highway' last summer and depressing it is too.

it is the road that goes from Rwanda to Mombassa... it took Aids and distributed it from west to east courtesy of truck drivers and prostitute shacks that line it.

It was a chilling experience.

Bob Geldof wrote an excellent chapter about it in his book.

2) The most common way for a woman to contract Aids in Mexico is thru her husband. She has led a 'normal family life' .....

Obviously increasing Aids awareness is a desireable thing.....but sometimes, a little information (or in this case, just false information) is a dangerous thing.

Would people truly be better off with false propaganda than no information? That's debateable.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

good for the Red Crescent for at least making the effort pf maiking people aware indifferent of how one thinks where or how the virus originats, at least you were someone they wanted to save lol.

I remember someone posted it here on QL a while ago. I believe it was on the rise among nationals, which may explain this new information drive.

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco

do you think we can find out the ratio or precentage of AIDS here in Qatar??? must be interesting to know.

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

I found it funny, but I find everything funny. Yes, it is defintely a step in the right direction. :)

"How come I can pick my ears but not my nose? Who made up that rule anyway? How come you say that's the way it is, that's just the way it goes, maybe you should decide for yourself what you can do and what you can say." Ani Difranco