Report shows overall global HIV transmission still increasing

This is in spite of the fact that adult HIV infection rates have actually decreased in certain countries and that changes in behavior to prevent infection such as increased use of condoms, delay of first sexual experience and fewer sexual partners, have played a key part in these declines.

Kenya, Zimbabwe and some countries in the Caribbean region all show declines in HIV prevalence over the past few years, with overall adult infection rates decreasing in Kenya from a peak of 10% in the late 1990s to 7% in 2003, and evidence of drops in HIV rates among pregnant women in Zimbabwe from 26% in 2003 to 21% in 2004. In urban areas of Burkina Faso, prevalence among young pregnant women declined from around 4% in 2001 to just under 2% in 2003.

The number of people living with HIV globally has reached its highest level with an estimated 40.3 million people, up from an estimated 37.5 million in 2003. More than three million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2005; of these, more than 500,000 were children.

According to the report, the steepest increases in HIV infections have occurred in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (25% increase to 1.6 million) and East Asia. But sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected globally – with 64% of new infections occurring there (over three million people).

“It is clear that a rapid increase in the scale and scope of HIV prevention programs is urgently needed. We must move from small projects with short-term horizons to long-term, comprehensive strategies,” said UN AIDS executive director Dr Peter Piot.