Namibias HIV epidemic is divers – prevalence is highest in urban centres and border and port towns (Figure 1) and there are important differences in antenatal prevalence [e.g. Katima Mulilo (39.4%) versus Opuwo and Gobabis (7.9%) highlighting the need to target ‘regional epidemics.’

Namibia HIV Data at A Glance*

*UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Universal Access; Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS Core Data on epidemiology and response Namibia 2008 Update, UNAIDS

HIV Epidemic Trends
Although prevalence seems to be stabilizing above 15% (compared to rapid rises in the 1990s) it has not yet reached a peak (Figure 2) and the latest data for 2008 show overall prevalence is 17.8%. So new infections are still on the rise, and young women bear a great burden of disease (Table 1)

Since 1997 the rate of infection in women has been faster than men, and women are infected younger than men (Table 2) 

Prevalence rate by age groups from 1992 – 2008*

*Ministry of Health of Namibia, Results of the 2008 HIV Sentinel Survey, 2008

Namibia does not measure new infections, but these have been estimated based on modeling (Figure 3). In 2007/8 there 14, 100 new infections, and if prevention isn’t improved, new infections will increase over the next 5 years. 44% of these new infections in the years up to 2012 would be in young people ages 15-24, particularly young women (77% of infections in this stage group) (Figure 4).