Lesotho has the third highest HIV prevalence in the world, and this high prevalence is seen in most of the country.
Lesotho HIV Data at A Glance*
| | Male | Female |
| PLHIV (2007) | 120 000 | 150 000 |
| New infections (2007) | | 22 666 |
Prevalence in young people
(15-24 years) (2007) | 6% | 15.4% |
*Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS Core data on epidemiology and response Lesotho 2008 Update; UNAIDS Regional Support Team Eastern and Southern Africa Tracking Universal Access
HIV Epidemic Trends
National adult HIV prevalence seems to have stabilized at extremely high levels since 2005 (23.2% in 2007). Women bear the brunt of the burden of HIV disease- prevalence among women aged 15-24 was 15.4% compared to 6% among men in the same age group in 2007.
HIV Prevalence Lesotho 1990 to 2007 (Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS Core data on epidemiology and response Lesotho 2008 Update UNAIDS)
The latest incidence modeling study estimated adult incidence in 2007 at 1.7%. This is lower than the 1995 level (3.6%) but remains high enough to keep fuelling this generalized epidemic. There may be a downward trend in HIV among 15-19 year old young women tested in antenatal care- prevalence has dropped from 11% in 2005 to 8.9% in 2007. But there are increases in prevalence in older age groups up to very high levels of 40% (30-34 years) and 34% (35-39 years). Using antenatal prevalence as proxy for incidence, this trend highlights the need to focus on prevention to reduce new infections.
Epidemic dynamics mean new infections reached a peak a few years before prevalence did. As the prevalence stabilizes, the number of new infections will be about equal to the number of AIDS death. So to change the course of the epidemic and save lives Lesotho needs to reduce the number of new infections – improving prevention is the only way to do this.
