• Politically, HIV/AIDS threatens the survival of the state of Botswana given that almost 40% of the adult population is infected with it.*
• It is estimated that there will be about “40 to 50% fewer Botswana adults aged 35-45 than would have the case without an HIV epidemic.** (UNDP, 2001)
• It is alarming that a large percentage (97%) of teachers indicated that is is true that ”there is no harm in having sex with an HIV positive person”.**
• Currently, about 283,764 adult Botswana aged 15-49 years are living with HIV/AIDS.*
• Currently about 1 in 3 persons aged 15-49 years are living with HIV.*
• The highest HIV prevalence is consistently in the 25-29 year age group in which prevalence of HIV has been at approximately 50% for the past three years. The lowest rates are among women aged 15-19.*
• The prevalence of HIV infection is essentially the same in urban and rural areas. In both areas, HIV
  prevalence was highest among women in the 25-29 year age group.*
• The estimated number of females 15-49 years who are HIV positive in Botswana is 178,873. Women in ages 15-24 represent 34.5% of the total of adult women infected with HIV in Botswana.*
• The estimated number of males 15-49 years who are HIV positive in Botswana is 105,084. Men ages 15-24
  represent 11% of the total adult men infected; while those ages 25-34 years represent 41%.*
• Among males, the highest prevalence was observed among those aged 25-29 years.*
• With an infection rate of about 35% of the sexually active adult population, the pandemic affects every sector of Botswana. The economy is likely to suffer shortages in the labor force and medical expenses.**

*Source - The National AIDS Coordinating Agency - Botswana 2003 2nd Generation HIV/AIDS Surveillance

** Source - Baseline Study Report - Botswana Institute For Development Policy Analysis, August 2003

www.lovebotswana.org/department/mercy/statistics.html