AIDS in Zimbabwe
With around one forth of its adult population living with HIV and an estimated 565 adults and children becoming infected every day (roughly one person every three minutes), Zimbabwe is experiencing one of the harshest AIDS epidemics in the world.
In a country with such a tense political and social climate, it has been difficult to respond to the crisis. Zimbabwe has become increasingly isolated, both politically and economically. The economy is suffering from a rapidly growing rate of inflation. In January 2008, inflation was reported to have reached 100,000%. This economic decline is fuelling food shortages at a time when poverty is already rife, leading to a desperate situation where HIV and AIDS are in danger of being overlooked in the face of more immediate survival concerns.
Current Estimates:
- Between 2002 and 2006, the population is estimated to have decreased by four million people.
- Infant mortality has doubled since 1990.
- Average life expectancy for women, who are particularly affected by Zimbabwe's AIDS epidemic, is 34 - the lowest anywhere in the world. Zimbabwe has a higher number of orphans, in proportion to its population, than any other country in the world, according to UNICEF. Most of these cases are a result of parents dying from AIDS.
For more detailed information, please click on the link below for an excellent summary.
www.avert.org/aids-zimbabwe.htm