65% of Namibia’s HIV cases are women, girls

Around 65% of people living with HIV in Namibia are women and girls of all ages, according to a new report.Of the 228 538 Namibians living with HIV, 148 911 are female, compared to 79 627 males of all age groups.This information is contained in the Namibia 2024 HIV Spectrum Estimates report, produced by the health ministry in collaboration with UNAIDS.The report indicates that among women aged 15 to 49, HIV prevalence stands at 12.7%, compared to 6.6% among men in the same age group. The total prevalence rate is at 9.7%.“HIV prevalence remains high, particularly among women,” the health ministry said in a recent statement.However, the data showed that the number of new infections and HIV prevalence are on the decline overall.Declines, but slowThe 2024 report, based on 2023 data, reveals that a total of 3 659 HIV-related deaths across all ages were recorded over the year, including 2 116 females and 1 543 males.“The number of Aids-related deaths is declining, but not fast enough,” the ministry noted in its statement. “We have noted a high number of deaths among people living with HIV due to tuberculosis co-infection," it noted.For all age groups, Namibia’s HIV testing and treatment cascade currently stands at 93-95-98, indicating that 93% of people with HIV know their status, 95% of those aware of their status are on antiretroviral therapy, and 98% of those on therapy have achieved viral suppression.The ministry noted that it is lagging behind due to the fact that among people living with HIV, only 93% know their HIV positive status. For children aged 0 to 14 years of age, according to the 2023 HIV Estimates, the HIV testing and treatment cascade is at 76-100-90, meaning the country “lags behind in case finding of HIV-infected children (76%), as well as with respect to viral suppression (90%).”Data from 2022 indicates that a total of 7 193 children aged 0 to 14 live with HIV in Namibia. New infections were recorded at 408, while 293 HIV-related deaths among children was recorded during the period under review.

65% of Namibia’s HIV cases are women, girls

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

65% of Namibia’s HIV cases are women, girls

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

Login