HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic. As of 2014, approximately
37 million people have HIV worldwide with the number of new infections
that year being about 2 million. This is down from 3.1 million new
infections in 2001. Of these 37 million more than half are women and 2.6 million
are less than 15 years old. It resulted in about 1.2 million deaths
in 2014, down from a peak of 2.2 million in 2005 (Cohen & Hellmann,
2015).
37 million people have HIV worldwide with the number of new infections
that year being about 2 million. This is down from 3.1 million new
infections in 2001. Of these 37 million more than half are women and 2.6 million
are less than 15 years old. It resulted in about 1.2 million deaths
in 2014, down from a peak of 2.2 million in 2005 (Cohen & Hellmann,
2015).
Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected. In 2010, an estimated
68% (22.9 million) of all HIV cases and 66% of all deaths
(1.2 million) occurred in this region. This means that about 5% of the adult
population is infected and it is believed to be the cause of 10% of all deaths
in children. Here in contrast to other regions women compose nearly 60% of
cases. South Africa has the largest population of people with HIV of any
country in the world at 5.9 million. Life expectancy has fallen in the
worst-affected countries due to HIV/AIDS; for example, in 2006 it was estimated
that it had dropped from 65 to 35 years in Botswana. Mother-to-child
transmission, as of 2013, in Botswana and South Africa has decreased to less
than 5% with improvement in many other African nations due to improved access
to antiretroviral therapy (Mandell, 2014).
68% (22.9 million) of all HIV cases and 66% of all deaths
(1.2 million) occurred in this region. This means that about 5% of the adult
population is infected and it is believed to be the cause of 10% of all deaths
in children. Here in contrast to other regions women compose nearly 60% of
cases. South Africa has the largest population of people with HIV of any
country in the world at 5.9 million. Life expectancy has fallen in the
worst-affected countries due to HIV/AIDS; for example, in 2006 it was estimated
that it had dropped from 65 to 35 years in Botswana. Mother-to-child
transmission, as of 2013, in Botswana and South Africa has decreased to less
than 5% with improvement in many other African nations due to improved access
to antiretroviral therapy (Mandell, 2014).
Although HIV prevalence is much lower in Benin
Republic (estimated 3.3% of the populations are living with HIV) than in many
African countries, such as South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. Approximately
210,000 people die yearly and the natural life expectancy is 56 years (Odutolu, 2006).
Republic (estimated 3.3% of the populations are living with HIV) than in many
African countries, such as South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. Approximately
210,000 people die yearly and the natural life expectancy is 56 years (Odutolu, 2006).
