WINDHOEK – The 2014 national HIV sentinel survey report shows the overall HIV prevalence in the country declined from 18.2 percent to 16.9 percent.
The sentinel report covers the period 2012.
The survey population is pregnant women receiving antenatal services at state facilities.
The report also indicated that HIV prevalence is highest among women in the 40 – 44 age group which stands at 30.6 percent and women aged 35 – 39 years that stands at 30.3 percent.
There appears to be a decrease in HIV prevalence among women aged between 15 -24 years.
In 2012, the prevalence rate in this age group was 8.9 percent and in 2014 is at 8.3 percent.
For the same time period there appears to be little to no change among women aged 25-49.
In 2012, the prevalence rate stood at 26.3 percent and in 2014 it stands at 24.1 percent.
HIV prevalence is disproportionately distributed across Namibia, according to the survey.
In 2014, HIV appears to be high in the north-east (Rundu and Katima Mulilo) and north-central (Tsandi, Okahao and Onandjokwe), south (Lüderitz) and west at Usakos.
The latest report shows a low prevalence rate at Opuwo, Rehoboth and Okakarara.
The highest prevalence was recorded at Katima Mulilo – near the border – with 36.0 percent followed by Rundu (24.1 percent), Engela (22.8 percent) and Onandjokwe (22.4 percent).
Usakos recorded 21.9 percent, Walvis Bay and Katutura hospital recorded a prevalence of 19.6 percent, Oshikuku 18.6 percent, Outjo recorded 11.2 percent, Swakopmund 10.5 percent, Windhoek hospital recorded 4.1 percent and Opuwo recorded 3.9 percent.
Furthermore, the conclusion section of the report noted that from 2002 to 2014, HIV prevalence among younger women between the age of 15 -19 and 20 -24 years decreased from 11.0 percent to 5.8 percent and 22.0 percent to 9.8 percent.
In addition, the substantial decrease in HIV prevalence among younger women suggests new infections are decreasing.
Further, 49.1 percent of all women who tested HIV positive were already on antiretroviral treatment compared to 41.4 percent.
“This points to a notable success of the antiretroviral treatment and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programmes,” it stated.
It also shows there is no apparent difference in HIV prevalence between pregnant women residing in urban areas which stands at 17.4 percent and rural areas at 16.3 percent.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, yesterday launched the report which coincided with World AIDS Day. Kamwi said at the occasion that HIV/AIDS remains a great development challenge for Namibia.
This is despite government’s commitment to fight HIV/AIDS by amongst others availing resources.
He said the 2014 results show that Namibia’s epidemic remains in a period of stabilization with slow yet sustained decreases in HIV prevalence among pregnant women since 2004.
“This is a sign that people with HIV are living longer than when there was no national programme to provide treatment,” he said.
The UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Tharcisse Barihuta, said despite challenges, evidence shows that Namibia has reduced new infections by 50 percent and avoided 56 percent of AIDS related deaths.
“Of course Namibia has some challenges as the country still has around 33 new infections per day,” he said.
The Ambassador of the United States of America to Namibia, Thomas Houghton, said at the same occasion that the results of the survey will help to identify priority areas “as we seek to direct services at the epidemic”.
The survey is conducted every two years. It started with eight facilities in 1992 and as from 2008 all 35 districts were covered to better represent regional activities.
By Alvine Kapitako