HIV prevalence drops in Volta Region

On May 14, 2018

HIV prevalence in the Volta Region has dropped from 2.7 per cent to 2.3 per cent, falling from its first position with the Brong Ahafo Region last year.

Median Antenatal Clinic (ANC) prevalence for 2017 is 2.1 per cent, a decrease from the 2016 prevalence of 2.4.

In the Volta Region, 1,673 samples representing 8.9 per cent were tested at Antenatal Clinic (ANC) located at the various sentinel sites.

This was contained in the 2017 HIV Sentinel Survey Report by the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) with the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions taking over the first positions with a prevalence of 3.2.

According to the report, the fluctuation in regional figures would require targeted interventions aimed at achieving stability across all regions.

Prevalence among the youth increased, which is proxy for new infections, to 1.5 per cent from 1.1 per cent in 2016.

The report also noted that there had been a re-emergence of HIV sub type two, not reported in last two years.

Source: GNA