developing world

Last reviewed 01/2018

In the populations of sub-saharan Africa and Latin America there is a high incidence of HIV and AIDS within heterosexuals and prostitutes.

• the virus may be transmitted by blood transfusion (because there is no testing of donated blood for virus antibodies in all areas - a process which has been routine in the UK since 1985).
  • specially seen in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia
  • use of unsterile equipment may cause transmission of the infection to both the recipients of blood as well as to the donor
  • women (due to anaemia and haemorrhage associated with pregnancy and childbirth) and children (due to malarial anaemia) are at high risk for transfusion associated HIV infection (1)
• there has been found to be a high incidence of perinatal infection with 5-15% of pregnant women being infected
• homosexual transmission is more common in South East Asia and central and south America but rare in Africa.
• in parts of South and South East Asia and Central and South America transmission of the virus through injecting drugs is common (1)

It has been noted that in the Zairian army, HIV infection is at the 90 to 100% level.

Economically the spread of HIV in the developing world is incredibly important, with the infection hitting 20 to 40 year olds, the most economically-supportive group.

Reference:

• (1) Grant AD, De Cock KM. ABC of AIDS. HIV infection and AIDS in the developing world. BMJ. 2001;322(7300):1475-8