Abstract

PIP: Determination of the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection is essential in monitoring the scope of the HIV pandemic. During the late 1980s, HIV seroprevalence studies and surveys were conducted in most countries in Africa. Despite some problems, seroprevalence studies in many African countries continue to be important advocacy tools for securing or increasing support for HIV/AIDS prevention activities and contribute toward understanding the spread of the pandemic. There have been few studies to determine the incidence of HIV infection in Africa, mainly because of the lack of well-established cohorts, although data on incidence have recently become available. This paper reviews HIV seroprevalence and incidence reports from Africa, published or presented at scientific conferences in 1990, and provides a discussion on the interpretation and use of the data. The prevalence of HIV antibody in Africa is discussed among general population groups, convenience samples of selected groups of individuals, pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, female prostitutes, STD clinic attenders, and hospital patients.