As of the end of 2001 the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated the number of people infected with HIV across the world at 40 million of whom 17.6 million (47%) were women 15 - 49 years old and 2.7 million were children under 15 years old.
The number of new HIV infection in 2001 was 5 million. During the same year 3 million people died of AIDS. The total number of deaths from AIDS, from the beginning of the epidemic through the end of 2000 is estimated at 21.8 Million.
UNAIDS also estimated that by the end of 2001 approximately 14000 new infections were occurring daily with over 95 percent of these infections taking place in developing countries. Approximately 2,000 (14%) of these daily infections occurred in children under 15 years of age, while 12,000 (86%) represented peopled aged 15-49 years. Fifty percent of these infections occurred in women.
In Nigeria the situation is similarly serious. The first national HIV zero prevalence survey conducted in 1991 in nine states gave a prevalence rate of 1.4%. Subsequent survey conducted 1993 and 1995 gave prevalence figures of 3.8% and 4.5% respectively.
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The result of the 2001 survey showed a national median prevalence rate of 5.8%. The age specific prevalence rates were highest for the age group 25-29 years at 6.3%. Followed by 6.0% for the age group 20-24 years and 5.9% for 15 - 19 years. A total of 3.1 million adults aged 15-49 years is estimated to be living with the virus in Nigeria by the end of 2001.
A decade ago women were less prominent in the epidemic. The estimated distribution of total adult HIV infections from late 1980's until late 1994 show male/female ratios ranging from 1:1 in Africa, to 6:5:1 in Australia, Europe and North America.
Today women dominate almost half of all newly infected. Already 9 - 10 million women have been infected with, world wide and this figures is rep idly growing.
Worldwide, increasing numbers of adolescent girls and women infected with HIV than males, are becoming infected at younger ages than men. Many are reporting having had only one lifetime sexual partners or only having sex with current partner.
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Thus, despite the tendency in many countries to label women as 'Vector' of HIV and to blame them for its spread, women around the world are increasingly being infected by their husbands or regular partners who themselves are engaging in unsafe behaviors, such as unprotected casual sex with multiple partners, with commercial sex workers or with other men and who engage in unsafe drug injecting practices.
Prevention Strategies are:
Zip up or stay away from sex.
If you must have sex then practice protected sex by using only tested and trusted condom.
Sterilized all sharp object both at your disposal or not.
Don't use another person's sharp object..
Watch your hand very very well before eating.
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