Question

1. Prior to the AIDS epidemic, what type of population growth was occurring in sub-Saharan Africa?
2. Approximately how many people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV? How many died in the last year?
3. What sorts of general changes will this dramatic number of deaths cause to the population structure of these sub-Saharan African countries?
4. What will happen to the age structure of the population? What about birthrates?
5. Although there have been many efforts to help educate infected patients in how to slow or stop the spread of HIV, these efforts have not been successful in some parts of Africa. Why is this?

Answer 1

1) The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes aquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Once the virus is in the human body, it multiples and acts by weekending the immune system. The AIDS epidemic is a crisis of enormous proportions that is rapidly wiping out many of the gains sub Saharan Africa has achieved since the countries attained independence. The UNAIDS recommended measure to understand the extent of HIV in a population is the HIV prevalence among 15 to 49 years old, or the percentage in that age group are infected with the virus.

2) In South Africa in 2018, 7700000 people's were living with HIV. The percentage of people living with HIV among adults (15 to 49) was 20.49%. 240000 people were newly infected with HIV. 71000 people died from an AIDS- related illness.

3) HIV is contracted most frequently at birth and during early adulthood. The epidemic may thus impact the demographic structure and the household structure of affected populations. The HIV epidemic in this region is generalised but young women, men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, prisoners and people who inject drugs are at an increased vulnerability to infection.

4) Modest increases in the male : female ratio are beginning to show within certain age groups only (approximately 15% among 25-34 years olds). Similarly sized increases in the proportion of 15-29 years olds relative to 30-54 years olds are observed in some age pyramids. In particular age groups, deaths increase directly from AIDS and may also increase indirectly, as orphans, for instance, face higher mortality risks. Fertility can be affected, not only biologically but also from changes in sexual behavior. Communities may be weakened, and migration may alter the geographic distribution of the population.

5) HIV is spread through semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk. You can ask your doctor about PrEP- a daily pill that helps prevent HIV. It is estimated that at least 90% of sex workers in the region are female, although selling sex is also common among men who have sex with men and transgender people.condom usage by sex workers and their clients varies greatly. In some cases, sex workers have no access to condoms, have trouble negotiating their use with clients or are unware of their importance.