Top 10 Countries Affected by HIV

As of 2009, there are approximately 33 million people infected by the HIV virus and epidemic. Africa has the highest number given its high poverty rates, little access to health care and its under developing position in the world. Many countries also lack the number of institutions which monitor the spread of HIV. Here is the list of top 10 countries with the most infected by the HIV virus.

1. South Africa:

5.7 million people are infected with the virus in South Africa. The adult prevalence rate is 17.9% according to CIA World Fact Book statistics. In South Africa children are also affected by the virus. 11.2% of HIV occurrences are in children and youth who are under 24 years of age. When you proportion the number of those living with HIV with the total population, it accounts for 11% of the total population.

2. Nigeria:

Out of 155, 215, 573 people living in Nigeria, approximately 3.3 million are affected by the HIV virus. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 3.6% as of 2009. The main cause of HIV occurrences in Nigeria is unprotected sex amongst heterosexuals. Teach sex ed is seen as inappropriate and restrictions on condoms have not been lifted yet. HIV prevention is a goal hard to obtain in this country.

3. India:

Out of 1 billion people living in India, 2.4 million are affected by the HIV virus in India, according to 2009 statistics. The epidemic took a toll on the country in the early 1990s and affects all individuals and not just sex workers. One should note that there is good news in India. 50% of the population is aware of HIV and whether they have it or not.

4. Kenya:

Out of 41, 070, 934 people living in Kenya in 2011, 1.5 million are affected by the HIV virus, making it the 4 largest infection in the world. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 6.3%. The worst cases are seen in children. Only 1 in 3 children get the treatments they need against the virus. The Kenyan government is working hard to combat this epidemic.

5. Mozambique:

About 6% of the Mozambique population and 1.4 million people are affected by the HIV virus as of 2009. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 11.5%. 130,000 of those infected are children.

6. Tanzania:

Approximately 3% of the total population and 1.4 million people in Tanzania are infected with HIV as of 2009. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 5.6% The Tanzania Commission for AIDS was established in 2002 to help respond to the growing problems with the epidemic. This is in response to more than 100,000 children being infected by the virus and more than 60% of women being affected.

7. Zimbabwe:

Approximately 10% of the total population and 1.2 million people are infected with HIV in Zimbabwe as of 2009. The adult prevalence rate is 14.3%. This number has begun to slow down with the help of the government and its response team. Education and voluntary testing has been set up nationwide.

8. Uganda:

Approximately 3.5% of the total population and 1.2 million people are infected with HIV in Uganda as of 2009. The adult prevalence rate is 6.5%. Like in Zimbabwe, Ugandan initiatives are taking aim at HIV and combating the epidemic. The rates have been lowered since 1980s and 1990s.

9. United States:

Approximately 0.40% of the total population and 1.2 million people are infected with HIV in The United States as of 2009. The adult prevalence rate is 0.6%. African Americans and homosexual men account for the highest percentage of this population. As of 2008, approximately 4,000 children were carrying the AIDS virus through mother-child transmission.

10. Swaziland:

According to statistics done in 2009 by CIA World Factbook, 180,000 people are living in Swaziland with the virus. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 25.9 (2009) which is the highest of all countries. This number is also high when compared to the total population which is 1, 370, 424 as of 2011. This accounts to 13% of the total population.

Swaziland was included in this list because it has the highest adult prevalence rate in the world.