2006 HIV Prevalence rises to 2.22
(3.2 per cent)
Accra, April 30, GNA - The 2006 National HIV Prevalence
rate is 2.22 (3.2 per cent), an increase in the 2005's
prevalence rate of 2.21 (2.7 per cent).
A global decision by the United Nations Reference Group
on HIV Estimates and Projections comprising WHO, UNAIDS,
Future Institutes, United States Census Bureau and the
World Bank indicated that a new methodology be used to
find the national prevalence rate for HIV by putting
together the Demographic Health Survey, Sentinel Survey
and the Population Survey to arrive at the National
Prevalence.
"With the new methodology, Ghana's HIV Prevalence rate
for 2006 is 2.22", Dr Nii Akwei Addo, National Programme
Manager of the National AIDS Control Programme said on
Monday at the "National Dissemination of the 2006 HIV
Sentinel Survey Report, Estimates and Projections of
HIV/AIDS in Ghana".
He noted that all countries, including Ghana would
henceforth calculate their prevalence rate using the new
model.
The 2006 sentinel survey, saw Eastern region leading
with 4.9 per cent followed by Western, Ashanti, Greater
Accra, Upper East, Volta and Brong Ahafo with 4.3, 3.7,
3.4, 3.2, 3.0, and 2.8 per cents respectively.
Northern region recorded the lowest of 1.3 per cent
whilst Central and Upper West Regions recorded 2.5 each
respectively.
Agomenya, which recorded a decline in 2005 with 6.0 per
cent, reverted to its position as the site with the
highest prevalence with 8.4 per cent with Nalerigu
recording the lowest with 1.0 per cent.
HIV type 1 has since the discovery of the virus in 1986
been the strain with the highest proportion of more than
90 per cent of the infections. HIV type 11 throughout
the years has accounted for not more than 1 per cent but
showed a slight increase in 2006 survey.
The highest prevalence was recorded in the 25 to 29 year
group with 4.2 per cent and 40 to 44 year group with 3.3
per cent. The 30 to 34 year group recorded the second
highest level of HIV infection with 3.7 per cent with 15
to 19 year group recording the lowest HIV infection with
1.4 per cent.
Dr Addo explained that the 15 to 24 age group alone
contributed 30 per cent to the total HIV positive cases
whilst persons below the age of 35 years contributed 88
per cent of the total positive samples. The new
infections were mostly recorded in the 15 to 24 age
group.
He called for an escalation in efforts to reduce
prevalence in the younger age group adding, "it will be
the key to reducing the over all prevalence".
He noted the over all HIV prevalence could be said to be
at the stabilisation stage with prevalence reverting to
the levels recorded in 2004 having dropped for two
continuous years at 3.1 and 2.7 in 2005 adding that
"analysis by the sentinel sites showed that the
prevalence at site level was far from being stable".
Dr Addo explained that as access to treatment was
increasing, prevalence would rise and said the
prevention component of the national response be given
higher attention to balance the effect.
Mr Silas Quaye, Programme Officer of National AIDS
Control Programme said Sexually Transmitted Infections,
which had been identified as a co factor in HIV
infection and testing for syphilis had been part of the
HIV sentinel survey in Ghana since 2004.
He said syphilis prevalence for 2006 saw a decline from
3.6 in 2005 to 3.3 and 5.6 in 2004 with Asikuma Odoben
Brakwa in the Central Region leading with 20. 8 per
cent.
Akim Oda, Assin Fosu, Cape Coast, Sewfi Asafo and
Asunafo followed with 19.2, 18.5, 16.4, 16.4 and 12.0
per cents respectively. North Tongu (rural) for the
second time has recorded 0.0 per cent.
He said syphilis in rural areas were higher than urban
areas whilst prevalence was higher in the older age
groups of 40 to 44 year group representing 8.1 per cent
than the younger age group of 25 to 29 representing 4.6
per cent.
Central, Eastern, Western and Ashanti Regions have the
highest syphilis prevalence in Ghana and said infection
levels needed further investigation especially with its
relationship with Yaws and HIV.
GNA
