China's Aid to Africa:Characteristics,Its Role and Challenges ahead

Started from 1956,China's aid to Africa has been playing a very significant role for strengthening Sino-African ties as a whole.Generally speaking,take "the reform and opening-up" policy started from late 1970s as a line of demarcation,China's aid policy to Africa can be divided into two periods in the half century.The driving force of China's aid policy before the line was to strengthen the diplomatic and political ties with African countries.The focus of China's aid policy after the line is to seek mutual economic cooperation and common development.Comparing with the Western approaches,the major characteristics of China's aid policy to Africa are mainly three:the aid is provided with no strings attached,and emphasizing on bilateral aid projects rather than multilateral system,strong focus on "hardware projects" such as physical infrastructure construction rather than "software projects" like research and capacity building.In general,China's aid to Africa has generated effective results and helped a lot for China's involvement in Africa.However,it is also facing new challenges at the moment and future.

How the African Public Views China＇s Aid to Africa

As a vital part of China's foreign relations,China's aid to Africa has scored great achievements.Based on data from the Afrobarometer Survey in 2010 and data from the database of China's aid to Africa in 2000-2010 co-created by the US Center for Global Development and AidData,this paper dissects the macro-and micro-level determinants of the African public's perception of the effectiveness of aid from China through an empirical analysis.As descriptive statistics reveal,the African public has a highly positive view of aid from China despite country differences.According to our further analysis of a multilevel model,aid recipients with higher levels of democracy and economic development have a more favorable view of aid from China,while the size and sector of aid from China are not correlated with public favorability.At the micro-level,age,gender,education,race and media consumption are positively correlated with the public perception of aid.In conclusion,China must refocus its future aid programs on livelihood and welfare that directly benefit local people,rather than simply increasing the amount of aid.In delivering its commitments to Africa,China must also attach importance to public communication and "telling the China story " in its international affairs to improve its national image and gain more recognition by the African people.

A Study of China's Bamboo Project Aid to Rwanda

China,as the world's largest developing country,has long combined the common interest of the Chinese people with that of the people of all countries,and under the framework of South-South Cooperation,it has always provided assistance within its capacity to other developing countries. As an important component of aid to Africa,forestry plays an irreplaceable role in foreign aid. Currently,the forestry aid to Africa is gradually changing from the previous trading of resources to sustainable development and utilization of resources. Especially the implementation of Bamboo Planting,Processing and Utilization Project Aid of the Ministry of Commerce to Rwanda undertaken by China National Bamboo Research Center( CBRC),helps Rwanda and the entire east African region to achieve sustainable use of forest resources,improves local employment,provides a new path of development for China's forestry to " go out",and further strengthens the traditional friendship between China and Africa.

Empirical Analysis of Interactions of Agricultural Sector and HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Africa

This study examines long run economic cost of HIV/AIDS on agriculture. Twenty-two African Countries were identified through purposive sampling. The sampling procedure helped to identify 1420 affected households. However, 1300 observations were found suitable for the subsequent analysis. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Overlapping Generation (OLG) model. The causes of high prevalence rates are the issue of poverty, fertility, myth and migration among others. Factors responsible for the classification of high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates were the patterns of spread of infectious disease that are closely associated with patterns of human mobility. For lower HIV/AIDS prevalence rate factors were low values of procreation and high values placed on morals. A positive correlation between HIV prevalence and GDP per capita was found. The study found out that there is a curvilinear relationship between the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and agricultural/economic growth in terms of human capita development.

Agricultural Sector and HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Africa: The Economic Retrogression Model

Objective: Agricultural activities in most African countries demand human labour, the supply of labour to agriculture may be threatened if humans could no longer farm because of HIV/AIDS pandemic. Past studies have identified the alarming situation and challenges the spread of HIV/AIDS endemic poses to human existence and agricultural growth. Examining these interactions, and their direction, is useful for informing policy directives. Therefore, the general objective of this study is to examine interactions between HIV/AIDS pandemic and agricultural growth in Africa using a model of retrogression. Methods: Twenty countries in Africa identified as HIV/AIDS ravaged countries were taken as the areas of study. These countries are spread over four zones of the Northern Africa, the Eastern, the Southern and the Sub-Saharan Africa. A combination of analytical tools was employed to meet the study objectives. Results: The results revealed that long run economic cost of HIV/AIDS had a statistical positive significant relationship with agricultural/economic growth. The results suggest that there is a curvilinear relationship between the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and agricultural/economic growth in terms of human capita development. Conclusions: HIV/AIDS pandemic interactions and agricultural growth have demonstrated that a more balanced approach is necessary for effective policy.

Study on the Characteristics, Problems, and Models of China＇s Aid to Africa under the New Situation

In this paper, the characteristics of China＇s aid to Africa under the new situation are summarized, and also the existing problems are smmnarized from the level of strategy, the level of public opinion, the level of methods and contents, and the level of effect. Combined with the change of the current international political and economic trend, the model of China＇s aid to Afiica is innovatively concluded by tile author as Ihe model of＂Bidirectional Balance Improved Aid＂ and also its definition, main contents, and practice keys are expounded. This model provides a reference model for China＇s aid to Africa and is good for solving the problems in the aid, so that a better actual effect can be achieved.

China's Belt and Road Initiative: Incorporating public health measures toward global economic growth and shared prosperity

The unprecedented globalization of trade,travel,climate change,protectionism,and geopolitical populism,as well as pandemic health threats are no longer issues for a single nation.In the field of public health,China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers immense opportunities for partnership and collective actions involving multiple countries to combat globalization-linked infectious and/or chronic diseases,emerging pandemics,and outbreaks of potential threats to both laboratory information management systems and health information management.The national and global health challenges have increasingly proved that economic prosperity cannot be achieved when huge knowledge and capacity gaps exist in health systems.There is thus a need for public health initiatives aimed at strengthening the health systems beyond sovereign borders to influence global geo-economics.We highlight situational insights that offer approaches and strategies for increasing public health investment and capacity development in the countries along the Belt and Road,enhancing public and global health cooperation alongside participation in disease control and elimination,promoting public health governance and data sharing for pandemic threats,and building shared values and benefits in public health through Sino-African cooperation and the BRI.Our approach also examines the values of the China's BRI in relation to public health,projections and initiatives for increasing new investment and development capacity in public health systems,and enhanced public and global health cooperation and participation toward the BRI's framework and scope.

Suicidal Ideation among Depressed People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, West Africa

Objective: Transient suicide thoughts are common to some people throughout the course of HIV disease and often do not indicate significant risk of suicide. However, persistent suicidal thoughts with associated feelings of hopelessness and intent to die are very serious and must be assessed promptly and carefully. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the relationship between depression, hopelessness, psychosocial stressors and suicidal ideation in PLWHAs. Methods: This was a hospital based, cross sectional, descriptive study, of one hundred and seventy depressed adult HIV/AIDS patients of Kwara State Specialist Hospital, Ilorin. Depression and suicidal assessment were evaluated using the PHQ-9 scale. A score of >9 or any affirmative response to question 9 of the PHQ-9 scale necessitated suicidal risk assessment. The social determinant questionnaire was used to evaluate social cohesion and negative life events. Results: The prevalence of depression among the HIV/AID patient was 56.7%. Twenty nine (17.1%) were hopeless, twenty eight (16.5%) had at one time or the other thought of taking their lives, six (3.5%) had plan to take their lives. There was strong statistical association between depression, hopelessness (p-value = 0.000) thought of taking life (p-value = 0.000) and plan to take their lives (p-value = 0.030). Conclusion: The significant correlations between hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation are important markers that should alert clinicians to underlying suicide risk in HIV-positive patients. In addition, low social cohesion and stressful life events were found to be risk factors for depression and suicide. Clinicians should routinely enquire about suicidality in PLWHAs to assist early diagnosis and intervention.

Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa

Farrar, Straus and Giroux Dead Aid unfllinchingly confronts one of the I greatest myths of our time： that billions of dollars in aid sent from wealthy countriesto developing African nations has helped reduce poverty and increase growth. In fact, poverty lev els continue to escalate, growth rates have steadily declined and millions continue to suffer. Debunking the current model of international aid promoted by l）oth Hollwood celebrities and policy makers,

A Panel Data Analysis of the Impact of Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Remittances and Foreign Aid on Human Capital Growth and Brain Drain in Africa

The main purpose of this research was to analyze the impact the Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI), remittances, and foreign aid have had to human capital growth (HCG) and brain drain. The study data were collected from five African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Morocco) from 2009 to 2018. Secondary sources were used in data collection, then autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modeling was used in the analysis. Before modelling was done, co-integration tests and panel unit were applied. The results revealed that Chinese FDI, remittances, and foreign aid had a significant and positive impact on HCG in the long but not the short-run. Besides, remittances, Chinese FDI, and foreign aid demonstrated significant negative impacts on brain drain in the long term, not in the short term. This study makes important practical and theoretical contributions about the roles of Chinese FDI, remittances, and foreign aid in the reduction of brain drain and the growth of human capital.

Are BRICS Countries Winning the War on HIV/AIDS？ Magnitude and Risk Factors

The aim of this study was to analyse the responses to HIV/AIDS in BRICS （Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa） countries to determine if they are winning the war on this pandemic. The authors used a comparative case study approach and multiple data sources on HIV prevalence, incidence, mortality, and risk factors of HIV. BRICS has 42% of the world＇s population, a total of 11.1 million people living with HIV （PLHIV） and an average HIV prevalence of 2.8%. Overall, there were 11.1 million PLHIV, 739,909 new infections, and 592,786 deaths in BRICS countries in 2012. The magnitude of HIV in BRICS countries was Brazil （.5%）, Russia （1.1%）, India （.3%）, China （.1%）, and South Africa （12.2%）. New infections declined by 30% or more and overall prevalence and deaths also declined in Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. The epidemic has stabilized in Brazil at .6%. Russia has one of the world＇s fastest-growing H1V epidemics, India has the largest burden of HIV in Asia and South Africa has the largest number of PLHIV. During a 10 year period, Russia had a 47% increase in new HIV infections. This suggests that Russia may be losing the battle against HIV at this stage. On the other hand, India and South Africa seem to have turned the corner with declines in HIV infections of 43% and 38% respectively.

Aiding Africa’s Agriculture

WH EN 58-year-old Jiang Heping set his foot on African soil for the first time in 2006. he dreamed that one day rice and golden corn would boost the continent＇s food security, saving people from starvation and comforting crying children.

针刺治疗非洲HIV/AIDS患者合并周围性面神经麻痹疗效观察

目的:观察针刺治疗艾滋病(HIV/AIDS)患者合并周围面神经麻痹和非HIV/AIDS患者周围面神经麻痹的疗效差异。方法:将周围性面神经麻痹患者HIV/AIDS阳性31例设为观察组,HIV/AIDS阴性30例设为对照组。两组均取患侧翳风、下关、颊车、太阳、地仓、鱼腰、攒竹、迎香等穴,根据不同病期进行个体化的针刺治疗。观察两组的疗效差异。结果:观察组有效率为83.9%,对照组有效率为96.7%,二者差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);但观察组痊愈率为9.7%,对照组痊愈率73.3%,二者差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:以个体化针刺治疗HIV/AIDS患者合并周围性面神经麻痹疗效满意,但较难痊愈。

p53和C-erbB-2在非洲地方性和AIDS相关Kaposi肉瘤中表达的意义

目的 :探讨p5 3蛋白、p5 3mRNA和C erbB 2蛋白表达在非洲地方性和AIDS相关Kaposi肉瘤中表达的意义。方法 :用免疫组织化学和原位杂交方法 ,对 30例地方性和AIDS相关Kaposi肉瘤中p5 3和C erbB 2的表达作了标记 ,用图像分析仪对表达的阳性程度作了定量测定。根据Kaposi肉瘤组织中血管成分和梭形细胞的比例分为血管瘤样型、梭形细胞型和混合型。结果 :p5 3蛋白在血管瘤样型表达弱 ,梭形细胞型表达强 ,差异有极显著性(P <0 .0 1) ,p5 3mRNA表达在血管瘤样型高于梭形细胞型 ,两者差异有极显著性 (P <0 .0 1)。C erbB 2蛋白在梭形细胞型的表达高于血管瘤样型 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :p5 3蛋白、p5 3mRNA和C erbB

The Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia Infections Among Patients Reporting Diarrheal Disease in Chobe District, Botswana

Diarrheal disease is a chronic public health problem in Chobe District, Botswana. Acute diarrheal outbreaks occur annually with a bimodal seasonal pattern coinciding with major hydrological phenomena. Information is lacking regarding the etiology of reoccurring outbreaks. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are recognized as important waterborne causes of diarrheal disease with Cryptosporidium transmission potentially involving zoonotic reservoirs. In Chobe District, municipal water is obtained from the Chobe River after it exits the Chobe National Park where high concentrations of wildlife occur. Using the Giardia/Cryptosporidium QUIK CHEK rapid antigen cartridge test, we evaluate the occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium among patients (n = 153) presenting to medical facilities in Chobe District with diarrhea (August 2011-July 2012). Cryptosporidium was only identified in children less than two years of age (10%, n = 42, 95% CI 3% - 23%), with positive cases occurring during diarrheal outbreak periods. Infections were not identified in adults despite the high level of human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the region (n = 117). Although not significant, cases were predominately identified in the wet season outbreak (p = 0.94, 25%, n = 12, 95% CI 5% - 57%, dry season outbreaks 3%, n = 30, CI 95% 0% - 17%). Giardia infections occurred across age groups and seasons (7%, n = 153, 95% CI 4% - 10%). This is the first published report of human infections with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in this area of Africa. This study suggests that Cryptosporidium may be a potentially important cause of diarrheal disease in children less than 2 years of age in this region. Further research is required to identify pathogen transmission and persistence dynamics and public health implications, particularly the role of HIV/AIDS and vulnerability to waterborne disease.

Closing the treatment gap for depression co-morbid with HIV in South Africa: Voices of afflicted women

This Background: In South Africa the rising comorbidity of mental disorders with other non-communicable and communicable diseases, particularly in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), has helped raise the public health priority of mental ill-health. Depression, in particular, compromises anti-retroviral treatment (ART) adherence and virological suppression, thus threatening the effectiveness of South Africa’s ART programme. Given that evidence-based treatment for depression comprises medication and/ or Western-derived psychotherapies, responding to the current interest in expanding mental health services for PLWHA demands an understanding of how best to provide culturally competent care within existing resource constraints. Aim: To explore the context and local understandings of depression in women living with HIV to inform the development of contextually appropriate mental health services that could be delivered within existing resource constraints inSouth Africa. Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were held with 35 women living with HIV in South Africa who met the diagnostic criteria for a major depressive disorder. Results: Being HIV-positive per se was not reported to be a major cause of depression. Instead, a number of social factors were reported. These included stigma and discrimination, poverty, and stressful life events. Symptoms of depression, especially social withdrawal, negative ruminating thoughts and excessive worry suggestive of comorbid anxiety, functioned to exacerbate and trap women in a negative depressive cycle. Social support emerged as a dominant coping strategy. Group-based interventions, which afford greater opportunities for improved social support, were mooted as the most appropriate intervention by the majority of participants. Individual counselling provided through a home visitation programme was suggested for those who were too ill or too poor to attend clinics. Task sharing was also endorsed. Conclusion: The need for multi-sector engagement in mental health promotion to address factors that trigger, maintain and exacerbate depression at a community level in PL-WHA is highlighted. The triggers, symptoms and local coping strategies employed by afflicted women in this study suggest a resonance with Western derived evidence-based psychological therapies. In relation to delivery channels, there was support for the provision of group interventions or home-based individual counselling using a task sharing model.

Unfolding of HIV Epidemic and Spectrum of AIDS in North India

The review traces the unfolding of HIV epidemic in North India. The first few cases were reported in 1989 in Indians returning from African countries like Uganda, Zambia and a trickle from USA. Subsequently the cases started pouring from coastal areas of Mumbai, Chennai and finally the virus spread all over through rail and road. In the North eastern region or the golden triangle, IV drug users formed a major group. Using a simple peptide ELISA, it was documented that the virus belonged to the NOF strain. This was much before clades were identified using molecular analysis. It appears that the HIV virus followed the drug (mandrax) route between Mumbai and South Africa. An alarming rise was observed among truck drivers fuelling HIV in Punjab villages who indulged in promiscuous behavior in road side making shift brothels near eating kiosks. Special customs in the state also flared the spread. During the early epidemic a very high prevalence was shown in blood transfused individuals (12.5%) which dropped to 2% -3% after aggressive measures taken by the NACO. While HIV positivity rates plateaued in some states by 2004, infection in Punjab continued to rise even after 2005. Kaposi sarcoma is almost unknown in Indian patients while TB and candida formed major co-infections. In one study, subtype V3 -V5 region chimeras of Indian clade C and clade B replicated freely in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and macrophages and showed higher HIV replication. Opt-out screening was started in an emergency setting in a tertiary care hospital. The positivity rate was 20/per thousand. Thus a large number of patients would have been missed if opt-out screening was not resorted to.

Otorhinolaryngology Diseases in HIV-Positive Patients: 208 Cases at the Donka National Hospital

Introduction: Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) diseases in patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) are relatively common and of concern to ENT specialists and other health professionals. Aim: It was to describe the epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of ENT and cervicofacial diseases in patients living with HIV/ AIDS. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study with prospective data collection, conducted over a period of six months (September 16, 2019 to March 16, 2020), carried out at the ENT and Infectious Diseases Departments of the Donka National Hospital. Results: Of 522 HIV-positive patients, 208 (39.8%) presented with ENT diseases. Women represented 62.5% with a sex ratio of 0.6. The mean age was 42.21 years with extremes of 16 and 64 years. Housewives were the most represented (29.8%). Married people were the most affected (76.4%). Cervical involvement was present in 7.7% of patients. Otologic involvement accounted for 43.7%. Oral cavity and pharyngolaryngeal involvement accounted for 50.9%. Nasosinus involvement accounted for 55.7%. HIV type I was the most common (99.5%). Conclusion: Otorhinolaryngology diseases were frequent in HIV positive patients. They may constitute the first reason for consultation. However, these ENT diseases remain in appendix of the opportunistic diseases of HIV/AIDS taking the front stage.

交通基础设施援建对非洲国家经济增长的影响研究

本文利用非洲17个国家2010—2019年数据,采用多时点双重差分方法,实证研究中国对非洲援建的6条铁路通车运营对非洲国家经济增长的影响。结果表明,中国在非洲援建铁路的开通运营能显著促进非洲国家经济增长,这一结论在进行了稳健性检验后依然成立。据此,中国应继续拓宽与非洲在基础设施建设领域的合作,推动中国铁路标准立足非洲,并考虑外部挑战,让中国工程走向世界。