Bono Region Tops Rgional HIV Prevalence Rate

The regional breakdowns of prevalence rate are Bono – 2.5%, Eastern – 2.2%, Ahafo – 2.1%, Bono East – 2%, Ashanti – 1.8%, Greater Accra – 1.8%, Western -1.7%, Western North – 1.7%, Volta – 1.6%, Central – 1.5%, Oti – 1.2%, Upper West – 1.1%, Upper East – 1%, Savannah – 0.9%, Northern – 0.6% and North East – 0.6%.

This was unveiled by the Director General (DG) of GAC, Mr. Kyeremeh Atuahene who told journalists that infections among young people pose a big threat to the fight against the HIV-AIDS scourge.

Bono East has highest ART coverage:

In respect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, the regional figures are Bono East – 68%, Upper East – 67%, Bono – 66%, Western – 63%, Greater Accra – 62%, Upper West – 62%, Eastern – 61%, Ashanti – 60%, Volta – 59%, Northern – 58%, Western North – 56%, North East – 53%, Ahafo – 52%, Savannah – 51%, Oti – 51% and Central – 48%.

The top five districts in respect of highest adult HIV prevalence among age 15 to 24 are Lower Manya Krobo – 6% (Eastern Region), Upper Manya Krobo -3.5% (Eastern Region), Dormaa East – 3.4% (Bono), Tano South – 3.2% (Ahafo) and Asuogyaman – 3.1% (Eastern).

On the other hand, the bottom five districts in respect of lowest adult HIV prevalence are Kumbugu – 0.3%, Nanton – 0.3%, Mion – 0.3%, Tolon – 0.2% and Sangnarigu – 0.2%.

All the bottom five districts are in the Northern Region.
The prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) ART coverage stands at 71.6%.

Mr. Atuahene said the vision of National Strategic Plan 2021-2025 is to accelerate progress to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

He explained that the goal is to achieve epidemic control and the fast-track targets of 95-95-95 by 2025.

SOURCE  Frank Owusu Obimpeh