HIV in Botswana

Botswana, a small nation in Sub Saharan Africa, ranks seconds in the world, (after Swaziland) in terms of the intensity and impact of HIV in that region. HIV in Botswana is the most challenging problem for the government to deal, as this disease accounts for more than half the deaths in the country

A few statistics about HIV in Botswana:

• One in every six adults are living with HIV in Botswana
• The number has risen up to 300,000, which is a contemplating fraction in a population of less than two million
• Life expectancy has reduced to below 40 years of age.
• The HIV prevalence is 25%.

HIV in Botswana : History

The first HIV case in Botswana was diagnosed in 1985. Since then the number of HIV cases were on a constant rise, to make the disease a serious subject of concern. In the late 80s, the government's effort was mainly limited to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through blood. However, from 1989 to 1997, the government identified the importance of mass awareness, through education, campaigns and other development communication programs. From the early years of this century, free antiretroviral therapy programs were successfully implemented with the help of national strategic framework. This mission included

• Regular HIV testing
• Increases VCT centers
• Provision for antiretroviral drugs in all public sectors.

HIV in Botswana - IMPACT:

• The human resource cannot be fully utilized in Botswana due to the premature deaths of a huge fraction of adult population in its productive years.
• This makes their families poor and helpless.
• It leads to several other social problems like orphanage, child labor, prostitution, loss of property
• The main industries like agriculture and mining are suffering a lot.
• The mother to child transmission of HIV is too high.

HIV in Botswana - Prevention

The government has taken many efforts to reduce the wrath of HIV in Botswana. One of the most successful efforts is the reduction in the vertical transmission of HIV (from mother to the child) from 40% to only 4%. Each and every mother has to go through the tests and go for ATZ medication if she is found to be HIV positive.

Successful campaign programs by the Botswana government:

• Public awareness and mass education on the disease through broadcast programs, pamphlets, posters, door to door campaigns. The positive outcome of loyal sexual partner, safe sex was endorsed in these programs.
• Counseling sessions to the high risk groups, mainly sex workers. This is because of the dominance of the disease due to heterosexual relations through multiple sexual partners, than from other high risk groups like MSM and injected drug users.
• AIDS education for young people in schools and colleges. It helped in removing a number of misconceptions related to HIV
• Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child. This was successfully achieved through counseling, compulsory ATZ therapies, and teaching the mothers about the adverse affect of breast feeding in the presence of the disease.
• Improvements in blood safety and blood distribution. HIV free blood supply was boosted. Blood screening was done more vigorously before donation and reception.
• Condom distribution in public places free of cost. This helped the people in losing their inhibitions associated with buying condoms from stores. The government also established several shops that sold condoms.

Despite all the efforts not too many improvements could be made in Botswana so far. The life expectancy at birth is still as low as forty years, which hampers the economy of the nation even more.