Condom use has been shown to be effective in preventing HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) by more than 90%. Numerous studies in sub-Saharan Africa have provided compelling scientific evidence to support this notion. Countries that report a higher use of condoms in population based surveys have consistently reported lower HIV prevalence as compared to those countries that report lower use of condoms. Male condom use is one of the most effective HIV prevention strategies among sexually active people. Heterosexual HIV transmission accounts for more than 90% of new HIV infections among sexually active people with most infections attributed to not using a male condom.
Furthermore, young women acquire HIV infection five to seven years earlier than men and are three to six times more likely to become infected compared with young men in the same age group. Compared to their male counterparts, young women bear a disproportionate share of the HIV epidemic in South Africa with a prevalence of 5.6% among those aged 15–19 years and 17.4% among those aged 20–24 years. Although the number of new HIV infections is declining steadily in sub-Saharan Africa and in other parts of the world, South Africa continues to have the highest incidence of HIV in the world with sexually active women being the most affected group.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with more than 70% of all people living with HIV residing in this region.
0 kommentar(er)
