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  • Title: Country focus: AIDS and HIV in Botswana.
    Author: Whiteside A.
    Journal: AIDS Anal Afr; 1993; 3(6):5-6. PubMed ID: 12287722.
    Abstract:
    Botswana, which was one of the poorest countries in Africa at independence, has become one of the continent's few economic success stories with one of the highest gross national products and strong economic growth. This economic situation has been used to benefit the people and has resulted in the highest life expectancy in Africa and a literacy rate of 74%. In addition, infant mortality has fallen from 101/1000 in 1970 to 36 in 1991. The small population is growing rapidly with a high percentage aged between 0 and 14 years (45.7). Despite this admirable economic situation, Botswana is at risk of an AIDS epidemic because of several factors. Rapid economic development has led to rapid urbanization and social dislocation, although the new urban dwellers are keeping their ties to the countryside. Other HIV transmission routes are in place through the 25,000 young, single men Botswana sends to work in the mines of South Africa, through the numerous truck transit routes which bisect the country, and through the international trading center in Francistown. The fact that HIV has accompanied this massive movement of people despite extensive interventions by the national AIDS control program can be seen from the results of 2 HIV sentinel surveillance surveys. The first survey, conduced between February and April 1992 in 4 sites among clients at prenatal, sexually transmitted disease (STD), and tuberculosis clinics led to estimates that by early 1992, 60,000 people or 4.5% of the total population and 9% of the sexually active population were infected. The second survey, held between February and April 1993 in 9 sites (to include rural areas) showed that the peak prevalence for women is among 20-24 year olds and for men is among 26-29 year olds. Prevalence was highest among those not married or living in a stable relationship. Although many women reported having monogamous relationships, many men reported having unprotected sex with multiple partners. It was concluded that HIV has continued to spread in Botswana in urban and rural areas. In the second largest town, 33% of pregnant women are infected, in the capital 20% are infected, and between 10 and 20% are infected in the rest of the country. The next survey will determine if the epidemic has reached its peak.
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