|
Country
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2003
HIV Prevalence
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Brief
Summary
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Algeria
|
0.2%
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Available data indicate that Algeria has a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic.
There is limited information available on HIV prevalence, other STIs and trends in sexual behaviour among
populations at higher risk of HIV infection.
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Angola
|
2.4%
|
Data from the 10 antenatal sites used in 2002 provide a better picture of the spread of HIV in the country than
previously available. HIV prevalence in Luanda appears to be about twice as high as in most of the provinces,
and 2.4% of pregnant women were infected overall. Trends are diffi cult to assess because of limited data, but it
appears that the rate of HIV infection has slightly increased during the 1990s.
While risky sexual behaviours are fairly common, condom use is relatively low.
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Benin
|
2%
|
Benin has a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a national median HIV prevalence of <5% among women
attending antenatal care clinics.
Studies indicate that there is a high prevalence of STIs. Across all age groups, women are more likely than men to
be infected with HSV-2.
High-risk behaviours were prevalent both among adults and young people, with condom use being relatively low,
especially among young people.
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Botswana
|
35.4%
|
Extremely high levels of HIV prevalence have been maintained in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana since
the mid 1990s. High prevalence rates are distributed throughout the country, including most rural districts.
Prevalence rates among young pregnant women are also very high and there is little evidence of a decline.
HIV/AIDS is contributing to a reversal of age-specifi c mortality patterns, with increasing proportions of younger
people dying.
Only limited data on sexual behaviour are available. A recent survey suggests that moderately high levels of
multiple partnerships, premarital sex and high levels of condom use, particularly among young people, are likely
to have an impact on the spread of HIV.
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Burkina Faso
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4.6%
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The median HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics in Burkina Faso has been declining
at most of the sites, but there are signifi cant variations in HIV prevalence reported in urban and rural areas.
Additional studies have shown high HIV prevalence rates among sex workers and their clients, as well as among
prisoners.
Available data indicate that the levels of STIs, such as syphilis, are low.
Risky sexual behaviours are highly prevalent in Burkina Faso among both young people and adults, with
infrequent condom use among those engaging in higher-risk sex.
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Burundi
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5.6%
|
Burundi has a generalized epidemic with relatively high HIV prevalence rates which exceed 10% in urban areas.
Over the past years, a decline in HIV prevalence has been observed among young people Prevalence rates in the
general population and in pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics are <5%.
Although information on sexual behaviours is limited, there is evidence that use of condoms in higher-risk sex is
not widespread.
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Cameroon
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10%
|
HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics has been increasing, both in urban areas and
outside major urban areas. The high prevalence among young people aged 1524 years indicates a high
incidence of HIV infection among young people in Cameroon.
Studies indicate a high prevalence of STIs in Cameroon, with especially high rates of HSV-2. The prevalence rates
of HSV-2 are higher in women of all age groups than in men of the same age.
High-risk behaviours are prevalent in Cameroon and yet condom use is relatively low in those people who have
higher-risk sex.
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Cape Verde
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0.5%
|
Available data on median HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics in Cape Verde indicate
that the country had a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic between 1988 and 1997. However no recent information is
available to assess current level and trends in prevalence of HIV and other STIs, or sexual behaviours.
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Central African Republic
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14.8%
|
The Central African Republic has an epidemic with a high HIV prevalence rate exceeding 10% among women
attending antenatal care clinics. Rates of prevalence are slightly higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
There are no recent data on sexual behaviours but the 1995 DHS showed that high-risk sexual behaviours were
common among both adults and young people, but condom use was very low.
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Chad
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5.3%
|
HIV prevalence rates among women attending antenatal care clinics at selected sites in Chad exhibit an upward
trend.
The median HIV prevalence in young women aged 1524 years attending antenatal clinics in Chad is the same as
the median prevalence rate among women 15-49 years.
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Comoros
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0%
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Comoros has a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic with a high prevalence of syphilis among women attending antenatal
care clinics, suggesting that high-risk sexual behaviours are relatively common in the country.
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Congo
|
4.3%
|
Sentinel surveillance among women attending antenatal care clinics in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire indicates that
the epidemic has been stable in Brazzaville, while a decline was observed in Pointe Noire between 2000 and
2002. Additional rounds of surveillance are necessary to assess and confi rm this observed trend.
No recent data on trends are available for HIV prevalence in rural areas or among populations at higher risk of
infection, and no information exists on sexual behaviours in this country.
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Congo Democratic Republic
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3%
|
Information on HIV prevalence is only available for a limited number of sites in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. The information available suggests that there are signifi cant epidemiological differences across the
country, with a stabilization of prevalence rates in some areas and signifi cant increases in other areas.
There is only limited information available on the prevalence of STIs in this country.
Risk behaviours are common among young people, according to limited data on sexual behaviour dating from
1999.
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Cote d'Ivoire
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7.3%
|
HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Cτte dIvoire is relatively high
compared to the rates in most western African countries. The prevalence among young women aged 1524 years
attending antenatal care clinics is 5.8%, suggesting that there is a moderately high incidence of HIV infection
among young people in this country.
There are signifi cant proportions of both adults and young people engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours. Yet
condom use in higher-risk sex is relatively low among the general population and young people, although in
groups at higher risk of HIV infection, such as truck drivers, sex workers and migrants, use of condoms in higherrisk
sex was higher than in the general population.
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Equatorial Guinea
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3.3%
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The availability of data on HIV, STIs and sexual behaviour in Equatorial Guinea is limited.
Data from ad hoc studies suggest that HIV prevalence in the country is increasing and that risk behaviours are
common, with condom use being relatively low.
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Eritrea
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2.9%
|
At <5%, HIV prevalence rates in Eritrea are relatively low. As the surveillance system was established recently and
was interrupted by war, data are not available to ascertain trends over time.
The HIV prevalence of 5.1% among young women aged 1524 years attending antenatal care clinics suggests
that there is a relatively high incidence of HIV among young people in Eritrea.
Data on sexual behaviour are limited.
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Ethiopia
|
11.2%
|
Overall, HIV prevalence in Ethiopia shows a trend towards stabilization at >10% among women attending
antenatal care clinics, although there are signifi cant variations in HIV prevalence within the country.
Declining HIV prevalence rates have been observed among young women attending antenatal care clinics in
Addis Ababa. However, these rates remain high, suggesting a high incidence of HIV infection among young
people in the country.
Ethiopia is experiencing a high prevalence of HSV-2 and a relatively low prevalence of syphilis.
High-risk sexual behaviours are common among both adults and young people. However, condom use is low
among both adults and young people engaging in higher-risk sex.
The increasing mortality of people in the age group 2549 years in Ethiopia gives cause for concern.
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Gabon
|
1%
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Lack of surveillance data from the same sentinel sites over time makes it diffi cult to assess trends. Data from
Libreville indicate fl uctuations in HIV prevalence. No data on trends are available from other parts of the
country.
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Gambia
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1.3%
|
During a period of about seven years, the prevalence of HIV-1 has almost doubled among women attending
antenatal care clinics in the Gambia, while the prevalence of HIV-2, the less pathogenic virus declined slightly.
The prevalence rates of HSV-2 and syphilis as reported in recent studies are a cause for concern.
No information is available on sexual behaviour.
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Ghana
|
3.4%
|
HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics in Ghana has remained fairly constant, between
3% and 4%, for the last fi ve years. Using the three strata capital city, major urban, and outside major urban
areas the weighted median prevalence for all pregnant women in 1998 is 3.3%. Nationally, HIV prevalence is
likely to be somewhat lower as rural populations are underrepresented in the surveillance system. Notable is the
lack of difference between Accra and other urban areas, but a few studies in sex workers have found very high
prevalence.
The main changes observed in sexual behaviour are an increase in age at fi rst sex, a reduction in the prevalence of
premarital sex and an increase in condom use, although overall condom use remains low, except in commercial sex.
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Guinea
|
2.8%
|
Guinea has a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic, with HIV prevalence of 2.8% among women attending antenatal
care clinics.
High-risk behaviours are prevalent among both young people and adults in this country and yet reported use of
condoms is low.
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Guinea-Bissau
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2.8%
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No recent information exists on prevalence of HIV, STIs or sexual behaviours in the country.
Data available from 19871996 suggest that there was a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guinea Bissau in
1996.
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Kenya
|
6.5%
|
HIV prevalence remains high among women attending antenatal care clinics in Kenya, with rates in young
attendees aged 1524 years being higher than the national median.
High prevalence rates of HSV-2 are found among young women; these women are more likely to be infected with
HIV and HSV-2 than men of the same age.
High-risk behaviours are signifi cantly prevalent among both adults and young people. Non-regular sexual
relationships and premarital sex are common.
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Lesotho
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20.9%
|
HIV prevalence in Lesotho is very high, and rates are extremely high in Maseru.
There are signifi cantly high proportions of young people and other groups at increased risk of HIV infection who
are engaging in higher-risk sex. Self-reported condom use appears to be fairly high, although over-reporting may
be a problem.
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Liberia
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4.3%
|
Owing to the civil war in Liberia over the last 15 years, only limited information is available to assess trends in the
prevalence of HIV, other STIs or behaviour among the general population or among populations at increased risk
of HIV infection in Liberia.
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Madagascar
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0%
|
Madagascar has a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has remained stable over the last ten years.
Studies conducted in the country indicate that there are high rates of STI, which would provide fertile ground for
the rapid spread of HIV.
High-risk sexual behaviours are common and condom use is low.
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Malawi
|
16.9%
|
HIV prevalence rates among women attending antenatal care clinics have remained at high levels of between
15% and 20% during 19952001. Rural prevalence rates are somewhat lower than urban rates. HIV prevalence
among young women and among all women were lower in 2001 than in 1999; subsequent years will indicate
whether or not this represents a true decline.
Signifi cantly high proportions of both all adults and young people are engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours,
especially men. Condom use in higher-risk sex among both adults and youth is relatively low.
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Mali
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3.4%
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Mali has a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a relatively low HIV prevalence among the general population.
HIV prevalence among the general population was lower than that among women attending antenatal care
clinics, which may be due to better representation of rural populations. HIV prevalence rates in groups at higher
risk of HIV infection in this country are relatively high.
Available data show that prevalence rates for STIs vary in the country. While the prevalence of syphilis and of
gonorrhoea is somewhat low, rates of chlamydial infections and of trichomoniasis are relatively high. The high
prevalence of syphilis at Douentza appears as an outlier; further investigations are needed.
The prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviours among the general population appears to be relatively low in Mali,
both among adults and young people.
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Mauritania
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0.4%
|
Available data indicate that Mauritania has a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The number of STI cases reported indicates that there is a high prevalence of STIs in this country. This should serve
as a warning system and encourage the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention projects.
No information is available on sexual behaviours in Mauritania.
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Mauritius
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0.04%
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Mauritius has a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic with a relatively low prevalence of STIs, although data suggest that
risky sexual behaviours are common among adults and young people.
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Mozambique
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13.7%
|
HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics in both urban and rural areas are high, with
national prevalence among women aged 1524 years at 13.1%, indicating a high rate of HIV incidence among
young people in Mozambique.
Signifi cant proportions of both adults and young people are engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours, such as
non-regular sexual relationships and premarital sex. And condom use in higher-risk sex continues to be relatively
low.
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Namibia
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22.5%
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Namibia continues to have a high HIV prevalence of slightly above 20% among women attending antenatal care
clinics, but there is an indication that rates have been stabilizing among young people over the last few years.
However, HIV prevalence rates among young women attending antenatal care clinics are still high; indicating high
HIV incidence rates among young people.
Information on sexual behaviour among adults and young people is not available.
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Niger
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2.3%
|
Niger has a relatively low HIV prevalence of 0.9% among the general population. Available data on women
attending antenatal care clinics also indicates a low prevalence of <5%. The higher HIV prevalence among women
attending antenatal care clinics than among the general population was probably due to better representation of
rural areas in the population-based serosurvey.
There are no recent data on sexual behaviour in the country.
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Nigeria
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4.7%
|
HIV prevalence rates in women attending antenatal care clinics throughout Nigeria have been increasing
gradually over the past fi ve years. There are signifi cant variations in HIV prevalence between the various zones,
with prevalence rates in the South South being more than twice those of the North West.
Syphilis seroprevalence rates are low in Nigeria.
Signifi cant proportions of both adults and young people are engaging in high-risk behaviours, yet condom use
when engaging in higher-risk sex is low.
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Rwanda
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4.2%
|
In Rwanda, HIV prevalence rates are almost uniform in both urban and rural areas, a pattern that has evolved
since the 19901994 war. Further monitoring of trends is needed to confi rm the observed decline in HIV
prevalence in Kigali, the capital city.
Only limited information is available on the prevalence of STIs in the country.
There are noticeable proportions of both adults and young people engaging in high-risk behaviours, yet condom
use is low.
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Sao Tome and Principe
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0.1%
|
Sao Tome and Principe has a low-level epidemic with HIV prevalence rates of <1.0% among women attending
antenatal care clinics.
No information is available on the prevalence of STIs and sexual behaviours in this country.
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Senegal
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1.1%
|
Senegal has low HIV prevalence rates among women attending antenatal care clinics and relatively high
prevalence rates of about 20% are found in groups with a higher risk of HIV infection, such as sex workers.
High-risk behaviours in this country are fairly common among groups with an increased risk of HIV infection, such
as fishermen and drivers .
The use of condoms in higher-risk sex and premarital sex is relatively high among both young people and
groups.
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Seychelles
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0%
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Seychelles has a low-level HIV/AIDS epidemic with a low prevalence of STIs.
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Sierra Leone
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1.4%
|
Data from a general population serosurvey suggest that HIV prevalence in Sierra Leone is low, although the
country has a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic. No recent information exists to allow the evaluation of trends
among women attending antenatal care clinics and populations at higher risk of HIV infection.
No information is available on STI prevalence rates in the country.
High-risk sexual behaviours are highly prevalent among both adults and young people in Sierra Leone, yet levels
of condom use are extremely low.
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Somalia
|
0.1%
|
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South Africa
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26.5%
|
With more than a quarter of pregnant women being infected with HIV, South Africa is experiencing a severe HIV/
AIDS epidemic which has not shown signs of a decline, although the rate of growth has slowed down in recent
years. In several of the provinces with lower rates of HIV prevalence, the epidemic is now growing fastest. While
higher-risk sexual behaviours are fairly common, condom use is relatively low.
HIV/AIDS is contributing to a reversal of age-specifi c mortality patterns, with increasing proportions of younger
people dying.
There are some favourable signs. HIV prevalence among young women has declined slightly, as has syphilis
prevalence, and self-reported condom use has increased considerably, with young people more likely to use
condoms than adults.
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Sudan
|
%
|
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Swaziland
|
38.6%
|
Swaziland is experiencing a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, with 38.6% of pregnant women attending antenatal care
clinics being infected with HIV. HIV prevalence among young women aged 1524 years is also very high, even in
women aged <20 years, which indicates that HIV incidence is very high among young people.
Data from the BSS suggest that multiple partnerships are very common. Surprisingly, self-reported condom use
rates were substantial in most groups of respondents, which should have an impact on the spread of HIV.
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Togo
|
2.2%
|
Median HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics in rural areas in Togo has remained stable
at low levels, but no recent information is available on prevalence rates in urban areas.
In 1998, use of condoms was relatively low among both young people and all adults, yet signifi cant proportions
of both adults and young people were engaging in higher-risk sex and premarital sex, respectively.
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Uganda
|
7.4%
|
HIV prevalence has declined in Uganda over the last 12 years, especially among young people.
Only limited data are available on the prevalence of STIs in the country.
Data suggest that there have been changes in sexual behaviour, in particular, an increase in the use of condoms.
Such changes in behaviour are the most plausible explanation for the decreases in HIV prevalence observed
mainly among young people.
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|
United Republic of Tanzania
|
8.1%
|
The median HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics at 24 sites on the United Republic of
Tanzania mainland was 8.1%. Using three strata capital city, major urban, and outside major urban the
weighted median prevalence for all pregnant women in 2002 is 6.3%. Owing to changes in the surveillance
system, trends are diffi cult to assess, but (apart from Bukoba town which had a very early epidemic) neither
Mbeya region nor Dar es Salaam provide evidence for change. Data from blood donors also do not indicate a
decline. HIV prevalence is much lower in Zanzibar, at about 1%.
National surveys show that high-risk sexual behaviour is common and that no favourable changes in patterns of
sexual behaviour have taken place during the 1990s.
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Zambia
|
20.4%
|
HIV prevalence rates in Zambia continue to be high at about 16% in the general population and 20% among
women attending antenatal care clinics, with no signs of a decline between 1994 and 2001/2002. Prevalence
rates remain high in younger age groups, which indicates a high incidence of HIV infection among young people
in the country.
The high prevalence among pregnant women was close to that in the general adult population, indicating that
HIV sentinel surveillance among pregnant women is still a powerful tool in making national estimates of adult HIV
prevalence.
Multiple sexual relationships and premarital sex remain fairly common among adults and young people. But
condom use in Zambia at higher-risk sex is relatively low, although recent surveys suggest a modest increase,
particularly and encouragingly among young people.
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Zimbabwe
|
30.4%
|
HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal care clinics in Zimbabwe is close to 30% and there is no
evidence of a general decline. Results of the YAS 2001 show a somewhat lower prevalence in the general
population, which may be due to better representation of rural populations in the survey.
There are high proportions of adults and young adults engaging in high risk behaviours multiple sexual
relationships, premarital sex and extramarital sex among adults and the surveys show little change in sexual
behaviour among adults and young people over time.
HIV/AIDS has contributed to a reversal in health gains and has also been a factor in increasing mortality rates in
the country.
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Source:
HIV/AIDS Epidemiological Surveillance Update for the WHO African
Region 2002 Country Profiles
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