HIV/ADS: What are the drivers of the epidemic?

-MCP; Multiple and concurrent partners.
-Low/ incorrect condom use
-High alcohol use
-Intergenerational sex, and extended from that are; Sugar daddies, and Suger mamas
-Transactional sex, and
-Low MC: male circumcision (circumcised men are ~60% less likely to become infected)

These are behavioral, except for MC, which is why they are so hard to change, but that is what the government is starting to target. There is a national media campaign, ‘Take Control’ that is really getting out there to spread the message, and it is estimated that 90% of Namibians know what HIV is and how to contract it.

The population of Namibia is ~2 million. In 2008 there were ~204,000 PLWHA (People living with HIV/AIDS). So that is a 15.3% in country.

Every 2 years the Ministry of Health and Social Services conducts a National HIV sentinel Survey. The sentinel study general objective is to estimate the HIV infection in pregnant women aged: 15-49. The 2008 results were 17.8% infection rate. Interestingly, HIV prevalence in Urban and Rural areas is the same as the national one of 17.8%

Treatment in Namibia:

In 1996 HAART (Highly active anti-retroviral treatment) is created, HIV is no longer a death sentence.
2003: HAART is made available in Namibia

Currently, there are 86,000 Namibians on HAART. And 85% of those in need of treatment are receiving it. ARV is (currently) free of charge in Namibia.

---For clarity sake: ARV (Anti retroviral) medicine is not needed until your CD4 counts drop below 200---