Some statistics to help guide our thoughts as we attempt to assist those affected by this ailment

HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa regional overview 

2013-2014

24.7 million people living with hiv

4.7% adult prevalence

1.5 million new infections

1.1 million aids-related deaths

39% adults on anti retroviral treatment  (unaids reports 2014)

A review of 45 studies across sub-Saharan Africa found that relationships between young women and older men are common and associated with unsafe sexual behavior and low condom use, which heightens their risk of HIV infection.5

Children

In July 2011, UNAIDS developed a Global Plan to eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keep their mothers alive, and identified 21 priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa.6

Since 2009, there has been a 43% decline in new HIV infections among children in the Global Plan priority countries, from 350,000 to 200,000 in 2013. However, declines vary greatly between countries.7

For example, in this period, new HIV infections among children in Malawi declined by 67% and by over 50% in Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. By contrast, Nigeria only achieved a 19% fall and accounted for a quarter of new HIV infections among children in Global Plan priority countries in 2013 (51,000 cases).