WINDHOEK – The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Social Services show that the Khomas Region recorded the highest number of mothers who tested HIV positive between 2010 and 2013.
During the same period Omaheke Region recorded the lowest figure of 753 mothers, followed by Hardap with 866 and Kunene 935. The overall number of mothers who tested positive during the period under review stood at 42 097.
During 2010, Oshikoto recorded the highest with 1 662 followed by Khomas with 1 433 and Kavango with 1 350.
Omaheke recorded the lowest figure of 147 in 2010, followed by Hardap with 229 and //Karas with 224. The overall number across the country in 2010 stood at 10 894 mothers.
Through 2011, Khomas Region recorded the highest with 1 449 followed by Kavango with 1 268 and Ohangwena at 1 239. During the said period Omaheke recorded the lowest with 155 followed by Hardap with 186 and Kunene with 216. The number during the said period was 9 743.
Information indicates that through 2012, Khomas recorded the highest with 1 561 followed by Oshikoto with 1 277 and Kavango with 1 268. During the same time Omaheke recorded the lowest at 142 trailed by //Karas with 261and Hardap with 230.The overall number during the year was 10 438.
The statistics further reveal that in 2013, Khomas recorded the highest with 1 709 followed by Kavango with 1 419 and Oshikoto with 1 315. During the said period Kunene recorded the lowest with 205 cases followed by Hardap with 221 and //Karas with 271.
As it stands the total number of mothers tested positive with HIV/AIDS at public health facilities during ante-natal care during the four-year period per region is Ohangwena at fourth with 4 957, Omusati at 5th with 4 462, Oshana at 6th with 3 954, 7th Zambezi at 3 539, 8th Erongo at 2 656, 9th Otjozondjupa with 2 238 and 10th //Karas with 1 022.
The World Health Organisation in 2011 announced that the HIV prevalence rate in the country stood at 13.4 percent. The world health body also indicated at the time that about 200 000 Namibians were diagnosed with the virus and also indicated that the disease caused about 5 100 deaths in that year.