HIV/AIDS

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIV
NUMBER OF CASES WORLD WIDE : 1
DISTRIBUTION OF DISEASE
GEOGRAPHICAL: 2

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BURDEN OF THE DISEASE :3
The burden of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):

refers to the global and regional impact of the disease, including its prevalence, morbidity,
mortality, and economic cost.

The burden is influenced by factors such as healthcare systems, public health interventions, and
social determinants. Here’s a breakdown of the burden of HIV globally and its impact on individuals
and communities:

1. Global Prevalence of HIV:

- As of 2023, approximately 39 million people globally are living with HIV.
- The majority of people with HIV are located in Sub-Saharan Africa, where around 70% of the
global population with HIV resides.
- The prevalence of HIV can vary significantly by country, with higher rates seen in regions with
limited access to healthcare, lower levels of education, and stigmatization of the disease.

2. Transmission and Risk Groups:

- HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of contaminated needles,
and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
- Certain populations are at higher risk for HIV, including:
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- People who inject drugs
- Sex workers
- Transgender people
- Young women in Sub-Saharan Africa

3. Morbidity (Health Impact):

- HIV weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and cancers.
- Without proper treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a
condition where the immune system is severely compromised, and opportunistic infections such as
tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia, and certain cancers become more common.
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced the morbidity of HIV by suppressing the viral
load, allowing individuals to live longer and healthier lives.

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4. Mortality:

- AIDS-related deaths have significantly decreased with the widespread availability of ART.
However, in 2021, an estimated 650,000 people died from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses globally.
- In high-income countries, the mortality rate has dropped drastically due to early diagnosis and
access to ART. In contrast, in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa,
HIV remains a leading cause of death.

5. Economic Burden:
- Healthcare Costs: Treatment, especially ART, can be costly for both individuals and healthcare
systems, although the global cost has been reduced through generic medicines and international
support programs (e.g., PEPFAR, Global Fund).

- Productivity Loss: HIV-related illnesses can reduce productivity as individuals may be unable to
work due to illness, which affects both the person and the broader economy.
- Long-Term Care: For people who are living with HIV but have developed AIDS, there may be a
need for long-term care and support, leading to additional financial strain on families and
healthcare systems.

6. Social and Psychological Burden:

- Stigma and Discrimination: HIV is often accompanied by significant social stigma, which can lead
to discrimination in communities, workplaces, and even healthcare settings. This stigma can prevent
people from seeking testing, treatment, or support.
- Mental Health: People living with HIV may experience depression, anxiety, and stress, both due to
the disease itself and the social stigma they face. Mental health issues can worsen adherence to
treatment and affect overall well-being.

7. Impact on Women and Children:

- Women, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, are at higher risk of contracting HIV due to biological
and sociocultural factors.

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4 According to World Health Organisation data, it is estimated that 0.6% of adults aged 15 to 49
years globally live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with a large disparity in epidemic
burden between countries and regions.

region of Africa is the most affected, with one in 30 adults (3.4%) living with HIV, making up more
than two-thirds of infected people globally.

In 2023, about 630,000 people were reported to have died from HIV-related causes, with a
decrease of 15% compared to 2010, but an increase of 2.9% compared to 2022. Of these, 76,000
children (53,000-110,000) and 560,000 adults (430,000-730,000) died of HIV-related causes.

It is estimated that the number of people living with HIV reached 39 million (33.1-45.7 million) at
the end of 2022, two-thirds of whom (25.6 million) live in the WHO region for Africa.

The data show that the percentage of people living with HIV who know their condition, receive
antiretroviral therapy, and who have a suppressed viral load, has improved compared to previous
years.

The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) refers to the impact this virus has on
individuals and communities in terms of public health, economy, and social well-being. The effects
of the burden include many aspects that can be summarised as follows:

1. Health effects:

Prevalence of the disease: HIV leads to acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) if not treated.
The virus is spread mainly through unprotected sexual relations, through contaminated blood, or
from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.

Health complications: People infected with HIV are more likely to develop a number of
immunologous diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and some cancers.

2. Economic implications:

Treatment costs: Effective HIV treatment (such as antiretroviral drugs) needs continuity and can be
costly in low-income countries.

Impact on education: The disease can affect children's ability to go to school or the health of
teachers, creating Disperties within affected communities.

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3. Social effects:

Social stigma: People with HIV may face a significant social stigma from society, which may lead to
their marginalisation or reluctance to seek help.

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ACTIVE NATIONAL AIDS PROGRAM IN
EGYPT:5
Egypt is classified as having a low epidemic level for HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health and
Population reports a total of 2393 cases of HIV/AIDS from 1986 up to the end of August 2008
(1534 HIV infections and 859 AIDS cases), with 1059 deaths up to the end of August 2008.

Although there is an active national AIDS programme, which includes voluntary testing and
counselling services and the provision of antiretroviral therapy, Egypt faces a number of challenges
in maintaining a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS. These include: a weak system of prevention and
surveillance for sexually transmitted diseases; poor access to reproductive health information; an
influx of refugees from Sudan and the neighbouring Horn of Africa; the large number of Egyptians
working abroad who may return home with HIV infection; pervasive fear and stigma; and low
condom .

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NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR HIV
CONTROL IN SUDAN :6
There is a national strategic plan for HIV control for 2014–2016, in line with the national health
sector strategic plan (2012–2016). A study to provide baseline data about the prevalence of HIV
among people who inject drugs is underway. Testing for HIV is routinely done as part of antenatal
care services in a limited number of public health facilities. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria supports the HIV response for most-at-risk groups. An active referral
system will be supported by the Global Fund to ensure that newly diagnosed cases from HIV testing
sites are referred to antiretroviral therapy centres for treatment. Transportation facilities are also
being supported by the Global Fund to ensure prophylaxis coverage of infants for the first 6 weeks
and confirmation of the infant’s HIV status through polymerase chain reaction testing.

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RESOURCES:
1. WHO
2. WHO
3. CDC
4. WHO
5. WHO
6. WHO