An integrated public health approach for a successful strategy against HIV: The case of Swaziland

Abstract

Swaziland is an inland country in the southern Africa with a population of less than 1.5 million. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the main public health concern in Swaziland as 27.2% of adults are living with HIV infection. Swaziland is known to have the highest prevalence of HIV infected people in the world. However, this might be changing soon as the incidents of new HIV infection are decreasing and the prevalence of HIV infection are stabilizing. This is due to the multiple well-implemented programs that are targeting the different components of HIV transmission including condom availability, HIV education, sex education, male circumcision, and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Although the prevalence of HIV is stabilizing, there are multiple gaps that need to be addressed by new programs to ensure that the prevalence remains stable and aim to decrease it in the future by providing the appropriate antiretroviral treatment and better access to healthcare. However, such programmes cannot be effective without improving the socio-economic and educational levels of people, understanding their beliefs and meeting their needs.

Keywords

• Africa; education; incidence; health policy; HIV; Swaziland