HIV/AIDS in Namibia

As of 2016, the leading cause of death among adults in Namibia is HIV/AIDS. Although the epidemic has vastly improved from its peak (the largest number of new infections occurred in 1998, and the most number of AIDS-related deaths occurred in 2005), HIV and AIDS is still a large public health crisis in Namibia. Currently somewhere between 13 and 19% of the adult population in Namibia is infected with the virus, making it the county with the 5^th highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world. During the peak of the AIDS epidemic, the average life expectancy in Namibia decreased from 61 years to 49 years. It has since rebounded to pre-1990 levels.

Namibia has taking strides to address HIV/AIDS. As of 2013, Namibia had the

lowest rate of new HIV/AIDS cases and the lowest death rate from HIV/AIDS in the southern sub-Saharan African region. This is most likely due to sexual-health education efforts, and treatment of infected individuals. Approximately 70% of adults reported using protection during their last sexual encounter, and approximately 64% of people with HIV/AIDS are receiving antiretroviral therapy.

            Combating HIV/AIDS will continue to be a huge public health priority in Namibia.

Sources:

http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/namibia

http://www.healthdata.org/news-release/despite-progress-hivaids-remains-challenge-namibia

http://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/policy_report/2016/PolicyReport_Namibia_2016.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_in_Namibia