Title: The private sector responds to the epidemic: Debswana—a global benchmark. UNAIDS case study.

POPLINE Document Number: 276679

Author(s):

Barnett T
Fantan T
Mbakile B
Whiteside A

Source citation:

Geneva, Switzerland, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV / AIDS [UNAIDS], 2002 Sep. [52] p. (UNAIDS Best Practice Collection|UNAIDS Case Study|UNAIDS/02.52E)

Abstract:

In many respects, Botswana is Africa’s success story. It is a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country, with a standard of living and quality of life that have improved steadily in recent decades, largely as a result of good governance and sound public finance. At independence, Botswana was one of the world’s poorest countries but, over the past 30 years, its economic growth rate has been one of the highest worldwide. This rapid growth was initially driven by minerals (with the diamond mines remaining central to the economy) but there has also been diversification of economic activity. By 2000, most children were receiving primary- and secondary-level education, and literacy rates were above 70%. Nearly 90% of the population were within reach of State health facilities, and 98% of one-year-olds were fully immunized against BCG. The approximately 1.6 million citizens enjoyed a per capita income of US$3240. Despite these achievements, Botswana has the worst HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world. According to the Report on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, June 2000, the adult HIV prevalence rate was 35.8%—over 10% higher than the next-highest country, Swaziland, which has a HIV rate of 25.25%. The latest government sentinel surveillance does not show any improvement in the situation. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Botswana
Summary Report
Prevalence
HIV Infections
HIV Prevention
Private Sector
Interventions
Best Practices
AIDS
Education
Campaigns
Developing Countries
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Measurement
Research Methodology
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Macroeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Programs
Organization and Administration
Communication Programs
Communication