Lesotho has the third highest adult HIV prevalence in the world at 23.2%. There are an estimated 62 new HIV infections and about 50 deaths due to AIDS each day.1 There were an estimated 270,273 people living with HIV in Lesotho as of end 2007. Of these 11,801 were children and 258,472 adults. Women are more likely to be HIV positive as estimated 153,581 are living with HIV compared to 116,692 men
There has been no significant change in the national adult HIV prevalence since 2005. There appears to be a slightly downward trend in the HIV prevalence among young people aged 15-24 with 8.9% in 2007 compared to 11% in 2005.1 The adjusted HIV prevalence among women aged 15-24 was 14.9% compared to 5.9% among men in the same age group
There has been significant progress in the roll out of antiretroviral therapy and food support to people living with HIV. At the end of 2007 around 22,000 people were receiving antiretroviral treatment, up from 3000 in 2004. Current antiretroviral therapy coverage is 26%.
At least 3,966 pregnant women with HIV received anti-retroviral treatment to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV in 2007. The coverage of prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes increased six-fold from an estimated 6% in 2005 to 32% in 2007.
