Overview of HIV/AIDS in Zambia

Testing, Treatment, and Prevention in a Southern African Country

Sep 28, 2008

In Zambia, one in every five adults is infected with HIV. In the last few years, this southern African country has worked to create policies to curb the epidemic.

Zambia is one of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world. This nation also has a massive HIV problem, with more than 14% of the country being infected. Despite a slow initial response to the epidemic, Zambia has recently made great strides in HIV testing, prevention, and education.

History of HIV in Zambia

The first case of HIV in Zambia was diagnosed in 1984. By 1985, a survey of hospital patients in the capital city found that 17.5% were infected with HIV. Despite the growing prevalence of the virus, Zambia was slow to respond to the concern. Information about the disease was kept from the public by senior politicians.

By the 1990s, it was estimated that 20% of the population had become infected with HIV. This rise in prevalence led the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a National AIDS Advisory Council in Zambia.

Recent Policy Developments in Zambia

While slow to develop plans for AIDS relief, Zambia has caught up, and even surpassed many countries, in the last decade. 1994 marked the beginning of a pilot program to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In 2007, PEPFAR funding helped avoid nearly 6,000 infant cases of HIV. That same year, UNAIDS estimated that almost half of HIV positive pregnant women received treatment to reduce the chance of transmitting HIV to their child.

In 2004, Zambian president Mwanawasa declared a national emergency. By the end of the year, he had surpassed his goal of providing 10,000 citizens with antiretroviral treatment (ART). The government has also focused on integrating HIV/AIDS education into the public school curriculum. While some school still refuse to teach HIV education, most have started providing a comprehensive program.

HIV Testing in Zambia

Zambia has instituted an opt-out testing policy. In essence, a person visiting a physician’s office would receive an HIV test, unless they told the staff otherwise. Fear of discrimination based on test results and fear for human rights have been major issues in the criticism of this policy. Despite these concerns, it is generally thought that the policy’s drawbacks are outweighed by the benefit.

HIV Treatment in Zambia

ART in Zambia is made available through funding from the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and other donors. By the end of 2007, almost half of the patients in need of ART were receiving it. While the goal of Zambia’s ART program is to provide universal treatment, the program is currently makes it easier for some groups, such as teachers, university students, and civil servants, to receive treatment.

Lack of Health Care Providers

Zambia’s AIDS crisis is fueled by the lack of health care providers in the country. Many professionals leave Zambia for other countries, both in Africa and abroad, where they can make more money and work in better conditions. This lack of providers makes it difficult to test, treat, and administer treatments. In 2006, Zambia only had 646 physicians for a country of 12 million people.

Zambia is currently making an effort to recruit more health care professionals by providing more favorable conditions. Another solution the country has been implementing is training lay people to perform some of the duties that would normally be performed by health care professionals. This system not only provides the necessary workforce, but also helps create jobs.

The copyright of the article Overview of HIV/AIDS in Zambia in Aids/HIV in Africa is owned by Jamie Robertson. Permission to republish Overview of HIV/AIDS in Zambia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.