Fact Sheet: HIV/AIDS Epidemiology in Sub-Saharan Africa

UNAIDS FACT SHEET
LtU NAI D
UNICEF * UNDP * UNFPA
UNESCO * WHO * WORLD BANK
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
HIVIAIDS epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa
Most African countries are carrying a burden of HIV/AIDS that is 100 times heavier
than that of industrialized countries. Yet, their ability to fund their efforts against
AIDS is often several hundreds times less. While limited resources impede action
against the epidemic, they do not make action impossible.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, in spite of its magnitude, can be dealt with if all
those affected, work together.
What does the epidemic look like in this region?
* As of late 1995, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
estimates that nearly 13 million adults are living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
This represents around 65% of the world total. Of the 7500 new infections that
occur daily world-wide, 50% are in sub-Saharan Africa.
If current epidemic trends continue through the end of this decade, it is estimated
that between 30 and 40 million adults will have been infected with HIV by the
year 2000. Of these, about 60% will be in sub-Saharan Africa.
* In some areas, however, for example, in Uganda, the rate of new infections
appear to be stable or decreasing, indicating that prevention efforts can be
successful.
* Over 50% of new HIV infections in Africa occur in women. Women also carry the
main burden of care of family members with HIV/AIDS. In countries where
youngsters account for 60% of all new infections, young women outnumber their
male peers by a ratio of 2 to 1. Close to 8 million women in sub-Saharan Africa
(out of 10 million women infected world-wide) are HIV-positive.
* Mother-to-child transmission is an increasing problem. UNAIDS believes that in
sub-Saharan Africa as many as 1 million children may already have been
infected prior to or during birth, or through breast-feeding.
What is the impact of the epidemic in this region and what can be done against
it?
Proven effective approaches exist. They are particularly successful when they are

protective of human rights, well managed, adequately resourced, and grounded in
community action.
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