Book Reviews 93
AIDS ACTION NOW. Information, Prevention and Support In Zimbabwe, HelenJackson, AIDS
Counselling Trost (ACT), Harare,1988 (153pp, Z$5 internal, US$5 external).
mv infection and AIDS are a problem in Zimbabwe and. as such, information is needed on how to
taclde this problem. This book sets out to give information on mv and AIDS, and what action to take,
with simple illustrations, and it clearly meets its objectives.
Before detailing the contents of the book a quick overview will reveal that it can be read on three
different levels. Firstly, all the detailed. but lucidly written, text can be read. Secondly, in each chapter
both quotations and key points are boxed as highlights, thus mabling the readez to skip or re-refer to
chapters without having to search the text for important points. Thirdly, the reader can gain important
information from the cartoons alone. Each cartoon contains a simple but very relevant message, which
helps to clarify some of the common misconceptions about mv infection and AIDS.
The book is divided into 7 chapters. The first chapter gives background information on the AIDS
epidemic, the controversy over its origin and on mv infection. Although statistics are rapidly changing
a good baseline is given and readers can update their information from other sources. Chapters 2 to 5
give information on mv infection, and the AIDS disease, transmission of the AIDS virus (HIV),
avoiding mv infection and testing for the AIDS virus (IllV). These chapters, which can be read in
sequence or individually, give important facts as well as Correct misconceptions. This makes it useful
for a wide variety of people, not only health workers. Points for group discussion can also be easily
selected.
Chapter 6 gives very useful information on counselling, support and self-help, that can be used
equally well by the person suffering from AIDS or with non-symptomatic mv infection, friends,
relatives as well as the counsellor or educator. With the rapid spread of themv virus and lack of trained
counsellors, this chapter will be invaluable to all who read iL The final chapter is devoted to public
awareness, attitudes and policy. Although awareness of AIDS is growing amongst the public, ~tudes
towards sufferers and toward changing behaviour are only changing very slowly. Theneedforincreased
awareness cannot be over-emphasised and thus the readers of this book will be in a better position to
educate oth~.
The Appendices with contact addresses, an annotated Bibliography and Glossary of Terms are
unusually helpful, and in themselves make the book worthwhile. This book should be widely available
to the public in libraries, schools and clinics, IS well as to private individuals. It gives good basic
information on mv and AIDS and guidance on solving this growing problem.
Reviewed by E Mason, Ministry of Health, Harare, Zimbabwe.