Title: The HIV / AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

POPLINE Document Number: 314774

Corporate Author(s):

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Source citation:

Menlo Park, California, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2007 Jan. [2] p. (HIV / AIDS Policy Fact Sheet)

Abstract:

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had its most profound impact to date in Sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of people living with HIV/AIDS (63%), new HIV infections (65%), and AIDS-related deaths (72%) are in this region, which only accounts for 11% of the world's population. Life expectancy gains over the past century have been halted and in some cases reversed in many of the hardest hit countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. There are 5.5 million people living with HIV in South Africa alone and Swaziland has the highest adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (percent of people living with HIV/AIDS)5 in the world. Almost all countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have generalized epidemics; that is, their prevalence rates are greater than 1%. In several nations, more than 10% of adults are already estimated to be HIV-positive. Women make up the majority of those living with HIV/AIDS in the region, and young people are at particular risk. The epidemic has already posed serious development challenges for the region and has affected communities, families, livelihoods, and numerous sectors of society. Most countries in the region are low-income and heavily or moderately indebted, according to the World Bank, and other challenges some face include food insecurity, internal migration, and conflict. Yet the epidemic is quite diverse throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and, despite these challenges, there have been success stories, with some countries experiencing stabilization and even reductions in HIV prevalence. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Africa, Sub Saharan
Critique
Persons Living With HIV/AIDS
Health Policy
Economic Factors
Foreign Aid
HIV Infections
Prevalence
HIV Transmission
Antiretroviral Therapy
Program Accessibility
Developing Countries
Africa
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Policy
Political Factors
Sociocultural Factors
Financial Activities
Measurement
Research Methodology
HIV
Program Evaluation
Programs
Organization and Administration