Title: HIV / AIDS in Malawi: estimates of the prevalence of infection and the implications.

POPLINE Document Number: 276686

Corporate Author(s):

Malawi. National AIDS Commission

Source citation:

Lilongwe, Malawi, National AIDS Commission, 2003 Oct. [27] p.

Abstract:

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a serious health and development problem in many countries around the world. The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates the number of HIV infections worldwide at about 40 million by the end of 2001. About 28 million infected people—70 percent of the total—were in sub-Saharan Africa. The virus that causes AIDS has already infected and is infecting many Africans. About 20 percent of the entire adult population aged 15–49 is currently infected in nine southern African countries— Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This is a staggering level, and most of these people do not even know they are infected. From the beginning of the epidemic through 2000, about 4.4 million persons may have developed AIDS in southern Africa, although most of these have not been officially recorded. No cure is available for AIDS, and the disease threatens the social and economic well being of the countries. However tragic the HIV/AIDS epidemic is for Africa, there is still occasion for hope. HIV is not spread by casual contact or by mosquitoes or in the air or water. Africans do not have to wait for expensive vaccines to be developed at some time in the unknown future to protect themselves. HIV is spread by certain types of human behaviours; therefore, it can be controlled by changes in those behaviours. What is needed is continued involvement from all sectors of society to promote interventions to reduce high-risk sexual behaviours, treat and control other sexually transmitted diseases, maintain a safe blood supply, ensure safe use of needles, care for those already infected, ensure that human rights are respected and mitigate the problems of those already infected with HIV or otherwise affected by the epidemic. Most of the adult population remains free of the infection and all of these people have the opportunity to protect themselves from the disease. This report presents the latest estimates of the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi and discusses some of the implications. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Malawi
Research Report
Tables and Charts
Data Analysis
Policymakers
HIV Infections
AIDS
Prevalence
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Research Methodology
Administrative Personnel
Organization and Administration
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Measurement