SOCIAL SCIENCES (GEOGRAPHY)

GRADE 10 TERM 3
UNIT 5: HIV AND AIDS

HIV infection rates in southern Africa

HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks CD4 cells which are an integral part of the
body’s immune system. As the virus progresses it becomes more and more difficult for the body to fight
various diseases and the person then develops AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

While HIV cannot be cured, it can be managed and treated. The spread of HIV can be prevented if people
take the right precautions. However, HIV infection rates are still high in developing countries because of a
lack of contraception and education.

Study the figures below showing infection rates and numbers of people living with HIV in southern Africa
and the world.

AIDS by the
numbers

40 -fold
Increase in access to
antiretroviral therapy
since 2002.
550 000 | 2001
3.4 million | 2001

2.3 million | 2012

More than 10% of people living 260 000 | 2012

with HIV in low- and middle-income

33% decrease in new
countries are aged 50 years or HIV infections since 2001
above
52% decrease in new HIV
infections in children since 2001 2.3 million | 2004

35.3
1.6 million | 2012

million people
living with HIV
In the world. 29% decrease in AIDS
related deaths since 2005

People accessing treatment Every hour

9 700 000
50 young women
are newly infected
with HIV.

©2013 UNAIDS. All rights reserved.

Figure 1: AIDS by Numbers (http://goo.gl/XtJLv1) Figure 2: Africa and the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
(http://goo.gl/FcrjTB)

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 SOCIAL SCIENCES (GEOGRAPHY)
GRADE 10 TERM 3
UNIT 5: HIV AND AIDS

Figure 3: People living with HIV/AIDS (https://goo.gl/M9qDkk)

Figure 5: Children living with HIV (https://goo.gl/u43828)

Figure 4: HIV infections over time (http://goo.gl/ul8Lfn)

Figure 6: South African Statistics (https://goo.gl/K2WkJ2)

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 SOCIAL SCIENCES (GEOGRAPHY)
GRADE 10 TERM 3
UNIT 5: HIV AND AIDS

Figure 7: HIV and AIDS statistics (http://goo.gl/YCbr9K)

Consequences of HIV and AIDS

Figure 8: AIDS in Africa (http://goo.gl/5UyJEj)

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 SOCIAL SCIENCES (GEOGRAPHY)
GRADE 10 TERM 3
UNIT 5: HIV AND AIDS

AIDS has the most devastating effect in Africa but, even taking
into account the many HIV-related deaths, the continent’s
population is still growing. This is the result of the high fertility
rates. Without proper treatment, many women pass the virus
on to their babies. Sexually active parents become ill and their
children have to look after themselves. Eventually these children
are left behind as orphans. Sometimes grandparents or family
members look after them, but too often children are left alone
in the world. In African countries, such as South Africa, many
households consist only of children who have to provide food
and shelter for themselves. This means that they may not have
the time and money to go to school. With little schooling it is
almost impossible to find a job that pays well enough to break
the cycle of poverty. As a result, the next generation will have to
suffer the same conditions (or worse) as the previous one.

Households where the breadwinner or parents have HIV/AIDS

have to cope in some way. They often use all their savings or
start selling things. When all the money is gone and there is
nothing else to sell, the family falls into debt with doctors,
hospitals and funeral homes. Once the land and livestock are
sold, there is no way to care for and rebuild the family.
Figure 9: Aids in Africa. (https://goo.gl/JF39Cq)
Other ways of coping are to get financial help from family or
friends, or to send the children to live with family members.
The biggest burden to cope falls on women. Women have to care for sick people, earn an income, do the
housekeeping and look after the children.

Children are often taken from school when a family is in crisis. Girls especially have to become caregivers
or earn money when school uniforms and fees become unaffordable.

The poorest households suffer the most. In South Africa, where an adult has died of AIDS, the family will
very likely break apart. In Botswana every person with an income will likely acquire one new dependent
(a person who relies on them for money and survival) over the next ten years due to AIDS.

Impact of HIV and AIDS on population structure

There is a definite link between infection rates and mortality, fertility and life expectancy. Less
Economically Developed Countries, especially African countries, have high infection rates. Death rates
due to AIDS-related illnesses is decreasing and medical advances and access to medication becomes
better and more accessible.

Generally, high HIV infection rates:

• Increase the death rate
• Decrease life expectancy
• Decrease birth rate
• Increase infant mortality rates

HIV and AIDS also affects the population structure. This is because of the age groups that are most
susceptible to the disease and their role they play in society.

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 SOCIAL SCIENCES (GEOGRAPHY)
GRADE 10 TERM 3
UNIT 5: HIV AND AIDS

The two graphs below show the prevalence of HIV by sex and age group and a projected population pyramid.

Statistics South Africa 7 P0302

Figure 11: HIV prevalence in South Africa, 2015 (https://goo.gl/eIFOkA)

Table 7: HIV prevalence estimates and the number of people living with HIV, 2002–2015

Prevalence
Total Incidence HIV
Year Women 15–49 Adults 15–49 Youth 15–24 population 15–49 population
2002 16,69 14,50 6,75 8,8 1,65 4,02
2003 16,85 14,58 6,35 9,0 1,63 4,14
2004 16,93 14,62 6,07 9,1 1,65 4,25
2005 17,01 14,65 5,91 9,2 1,67 4,35
2006 17,22 14,82 5,82 9,4 1,65 4,51
2007 17,52 15,10 5,76 9,7 1,58 4,71
2008 17,81 15,39 5,71 10,0 1,50 4,93
2009 18,09 15,66 5,69 10,2 1,43 5,13
2010 18,29 15,87 5,70 10,4 1,38 5,32
2011 18,42 16,01 5,64 10,6 1,34 5,48
2012 18,53 16,14 5,61 10,7 1,31 5,65
2013 18,67 16,29 5,60 10,9 1,28 5,83
2014 18,85 16,46 5,59 11,1 1,23 6,02
2015 18,99 16,59 5,59 11,2 1,22 6,19
Figure 10: HIV prevalence in South Africa (https://goo.gl/Tc7KL6)
4. National population estimates
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Table 8 shows the mid-year estimates by population group and sex. The mid-year population is estimated at 54,96
5
million. The black African population is in the majority (44,23 million) and constitutes approximately 80% of the total
 SOCIAL SCIENCES (GEOGRAPHY)
GRADE 10 TERM 3
UNIT 5: HIV AND AIDS

Figure 12: Botswana’s predictions (http://goo.gl/DmRBKy)

Affect of AIDS on
population pyramid
for South Africa. SOUTH AFRICA, 2035

Projection without AIDS

Projection with AIDS

Predicted population for

2035, without and with AIDS.

With AIDS, looks like a

population “chimney”.

5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Population (in millions)

Figure 13: South Africa’s total population prediction (http://goo.gl/GAmw9h)

References
http://goo.gl/HLauzf
http://goo.gl/ZSEY8F
Blaauw, M., Blackbeard, A., Brouard, J. et al, (2008): Spot on Geography: Grade 10. Heinemann, Sandton.
(pp. 157 – 162)
Bornman, M., S. Cohen, P. Ranby, N. Sookdeo and J. Saunders (2013): Platinum Geography Grade 10
Learners Book. Maskew Miller Longman (pp. 255 – 263)

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