Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Overview

HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health problem with far reaching consequences on the development and the national security of WHO/AFRO Member States. Sub-Saharan Africa carries the highest burden of HIV infections and HIV/AIDS related mortality in the world. An estimated 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2007, of whom 67% were in sub-Saharan Africa. The Region also accounts for 75% of global AIDS deaths. Approximately 9.1 million people were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in 2007.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where women are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in comparison with men, with the proportion hovering around 60% over the last five years and nearly 90% of all children living with HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa is occurring in a context of increased poverty, food insecurity, indebtedness, poor economic performance, gender inequality, gender-based violence, conflicts, natural disasters, ignorance, fear, stigma and discrimination.

Prevention efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with indications of behavior change and declines in HIV prevalence rates in a number of high-burden countries. Many countries have also made significant progress in expanding access to ART. About 2.1 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy in the Region at the end of 2007, and regional coverage increased from barely 2% in 2003 to 30% in 2007. Despite this significant progress in ART there is still need to cover all the people in need and improve some areas such as HTC and PMTCT.

The key challenges to be addressed are:

• Scaling up of key HIV prevention intervention, particularly HIV testing and counseling (HCT) including Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling.
• Increasing access to affordable treatment and care in order to sustain the achievements so far on ART.
• Increasing Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) as the coverage of these interventions is still unacceptably low (34 % in 2007).
• Identifying innovative approaches to respond to the high levels of HIV discordant couples.
• Introducting male circumcision in countries where this procedure is not currently practiced requires well-thought strategies, capacity building efforts and good communication strategies.
• Weak health care delivery systems that are hindering expansion of quality HIV care and treatment services to lower level health facilities.
• Ensuring sustainable financing for key priority interventions in order for Member States have to achieve Universal Access.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Emil Asamoah-Odei
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Tel: +47241 39277