Despite recent reductions in transmission rates of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone, the lack of knowledge and stigmatism surrounding the condition, particularly among the younger population, could prevent the country from further minimizing the spread of the disease.

The Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone

According to UNAIDS, there were 77,000 adults and children living with HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone in 2022, an incidence of 0.44 per 1,000 of the population. Of these people, 59,000 Sierra Leoneans know their status, shedding light on the increasing awareness of the disease within the nation.

However, this figure is below the 95-95-95 target from the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy. This outlines the organization’s aims for 95% of those living with HIV to know their status, 95% of these people to be on ART and 95% of those on treatment to be virally suppressed.

There has been progress towards this goal, however, with the country seeing a 39% reduction in new HIV infections and a 42% reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2010. Furthermore, almost all of those affected by the disease are on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), in line with UNAIDS’s strategy and highlighting increased accessibility to the treatment.

Yet the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the younger population of Sierra Leone remains relatively high. The World Bank indicates that 6,700 children aged 0 to 14 are living with the disease, yet only 1,704 are receiving ART, according to UNAIDS.

Gender-Based Inequalities

The gender-based inequalities of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone amongst young women are also an issue for the nation. The prevalence rate of the disease is double for women (1%) compared to men (0.5%) and The National Institutes of Health also remarks that over a third of women have encountered at least one HIV risk factor, raising issues surrounding sexual violence towards young women and girls.

In 2019, UNAIDS named Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, as champion for the charity, in hopes of raising awareness of the gender-based inequalities of HIV/AIDS infections. As “a strong advocate for the empowerment of girls and young women,” according to UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, this position will hopefully produce more conversations on this issue, and mobilise the younger generation to become more conscious of the disease. By introducing the Hands Off Our Girls campaign, Maada Bio is striving to protect young women in Sierra Leone from rape and early marriages which are seen to be key factors in the transmission of HIV/AIDS in young women.

The Stigma

Awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone is key for changing preconceptions of the condition, and will hopefully mobilize more people to seek regular checkups and screenings. UNAIDS data shows that 67.1% of the population would not buy fresh vegetables from a shopkeeper with HIV, and a further 53% do not think that children living with the condition should be able to attend school with children who are HIV-negative. This highlights the social stigmatism towards HIV/AIDS that is still present in Sierra Leone.

Furthermore, amongst the younger Sierra Leoneans aged 15-24, only 29.13% know about HIV prevention. It is therefore imperative that information about the disease is accessible to young people, particularly about transmition, to reduce further infection rates.

With the HIV transmission rates falling, and the First Lady as the new champion of UNAIDS in the country, HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone could soon reach the goals of the 95-95-95 strategy. However, education amongst the younger population is vital to prevent the further spread of the disease and encourage more to get regular screening to receive life-saving treatment.

– Ben Kane

Ben is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr