This new programme is an addition to the existing suite of Jet Club benefits for which members pay just over R11 a month. It provides access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for any exposure to HIV through sexual assault to members and their immediate family. Jet Club members are account holders at Jet, Sales House and Cuthberts stores in South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia.
"Jet Club creates an intimate relationship with our retail clientele and staff," says Cameron Burt, Jet Club manager. "Our consumers write to us and tell us their problems: sexual abuse and fear of HIV are high on the list of concerns. Sexual violence and HIV destabilize families and communities, but the timeous provision of effective care and treatment saves lives - physically and emotionally. We believe this programme and the others we offer extend significant assistance to communities, and our children."
The programme provides access to medication to prevent HIV transmission in those who were HIV negative at commencement of treatment. Access to medication to prevent other sexually transmitted illnesses and pregnancy is also provided. Two HIV tests are provided for, one on the day of the incident and the next six weeks later - HIV usually shows itself in the bloodstream five to six weeks after infection.
A person raped calls the Careline for advice on what to do and where to go. If medical transportation is needed the scheme will help ensure it is provided. Ongoing free telephonic counselling is given to the rape survivor for as long as he or she needs it.
If the person is HIV+ on the day of the sexual assault, they will not be given antiretrovirals. They will, however, be given access to treatment to prevent sexually transmitted illnesses and pregnancy.
Assistance for those who are already HIV+ does not end there. They will be advised to get their doctor to contact an HIV Prevention Programme Careline, under the auspices of Jet Club, to help determine future confidential HIV management and life-long telephone counselling for HIV+ members and their doctors.
The programme brings unprecedented sexual assault care treatment, HIV management and trauma counselling to Jet Club members in Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia where PEP is not available. It extends treatment access in Botswana and South Africa where PEP is available in only a few private and government hospitals.
HIV incidence in southern Africa is the highest in the world: SA has 6-million HIV infected citizens and lost 600 000 to AIDS last year; Swaziland's life expectancy has dropped to 27-years because of the virus. In Botswana 36% of the population has HIV.
Sexual assault is endemic across southern Africa. An average of 54 000 South Africans report rape each year - 40% are children. The Botswana Womens' Ministry reported in 2000 that 65% of those raped in that country were children under the age of 12.
The SA Law Commission estimated, in 1999, that an actual 1,6m South Africans are sexually assaulted each year. A University of South Africa report (March, 1999) estimated that there were an average of a million rapes a year in South Africa. Most cases go unreported.
Research across the world, including South Africa, has shown that in countries of high HIV incidence, rape survivors have a 30% to 40% risk of becoming HIV infected if they do not receive Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours of the first act of actual or attempted sexual penetration.
The situation is made worse because of a high incidence of gang rape - 65% of all rape is gang rape, according to a study by Dr Adrienne Wulfsohn in Johannesburg and 75% according to Groote Schuur clinic. And too, because of the thin vaginal walls of children, HIV transmission is easier. According to the SA Police Service rape increased 30% in Gauteng between October to December last year, as an example, and most cases were children under the age of 12.
Because of the high incidence of child sexual abuse, Unicef reports that six times more girl children are HIV infected in Africa than boys. The South African Department of Health reported in May, 2002 that the highest HIV infection rates were in girls aged 13 to 19 and in boys aged 16 to 25. HIV infection rates in children under the age of 12 are not monitored anywhere in the region.
In addition to the new HIV prevention programme, Jet Club offers 15 further benefits ranging from two funeral plans, eye-care benefits, a financial services careline, a legal assistance careline, a bereavement careline, a trauma counselling careline, roadside assistance, emergency service assistance including evacuations for medical emergencies, a baby careline and account protection plans as well as a monthly magazine. For more information on benefits, or to join, call the Jet Club, Careline on 0860-005-006.
Inky Dresner
Soapbox Communications and Events
Tel (021) 797 5789
