Using “the life-cycle approach to HIV” which breakdown the disease in four age bracket, that is, 0 to 14, 15 to 24, 25 to 49, and 50 – plus, we are able to have a clearer view of the epidemic’s complex dynamics and a more targeted response.

As at the end of 2015, there were 2.6 million children estimated to be living with HIV around the world- the majority in Africa. Nearly half of all children (aged 0-14) living with HIV are in just five countries: Nigeria (15 percent); South Africa (13 percent); India (8 percent); Mozambique (6 percent); and Kenya (5 percent). Eastern and Southern Africa accounts for 59 percent around the world.

Nigeria alone accounts for more than one-fourth of the 150,000 new infections in children last year. (Some of their infections occur during birth and some during breastfeeding.)

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé says he is “more disappointed than surprised” by the finding. “It’s a little bit our collective failure, including mine.”

Two factors underlie the problem in Nigeria, Sidibé says: little effort to focus resources on the regions of the country that have the biggest problems, and no strong “culture of accountability” to ensure funds are well spent.

“I didn’t take the same bold approach I took in South Africa with Nigeria,” Sidibé says. “That should be my major new agenda.” In South Africa, more than 95% of HIV-infected pregnant women receive lifesaving antiretrovirals (ARVs), which also prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Nigeria is still analyzing its data, but the latest figures suggest that about 30% of HIV-infected pregnant women in that country were receiving ARVs.

Since 2009, new infections among children have been reduced by 36%. With access to the tools to protect children from HIV and access to antiretoviral medicines for HIV-infected pregnant women, this numbers can be reduced further.

http://healthcustodian.com/world-aids-day-concerns-for-children/

cc: dominique

Nigeria alone accounts for more than one-fourth of the 150,000 new infections in children last year. (Some of their infections occur during birth and some during breastfeeding.)

This is unavoidable and preventable na. Our health practitioners should know and do better than this.