


People Living with HIV
Positive Vibes’ approach to community systems strengthening centres on self-help groups and the institutions and organisations around them. Specifically, we looks to encourage and support local responses to HIV and stimulate positive, community-led social change.
Our approach
Positive Health, Dignity & Prevention
Our work in this area has helped
Push back stigma and discrimination;
Stimulate local voice;
Enhance community agency through strengthening community systems;
and encourage horizontal learning and extension.
The African context
Eastern and southern Africa
▪ In 2016, there were 19.4 million `{`17.8 million–21.1 million`}` people living with HIV in eastern and southern Africa.
- Women and girls account for more than half `{`59%`}` of the total number of people living with HIV in eastern and southern Africa.
▪ Eastern and southern Africa accounts for 43% of the global total of new HIV infections.
▪ In 2016, there were an estimated 790 000 `{`710 000–870 000`}` new HIV infections in eastern and southern Africa.
- New HIV infections declined by 29% between 2010 and 2016.
▪ In eastern and southern Africa, 420 000 `{`350 000–510 000`}` people died of AIDSrelated illnesses in 2016.
- Between 2010 and 2016, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the region fell by 42%.
▪ In eastern and southern Africa, 11.7 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy, 60% `{`48–68%`}` of all people living with HIV in the region in 2016.
- 67% `{`54–76%`}` of adult women (aged 15 years and over) and 51% `{`41–58%`}` of adult men were accessing antiretroviral therapy in eastern and southern Africa in 2016.
- Six out of 10 people on antiretroviral therapy live in eastern and southern Africa.
▪ There were 77 000 `{`52 000–110 000`}` new HIV infections among children in eastern and southern Africa in 2016.
- Since 2010, there has been a 56% decline in new HIV infections among children in the region.
Western and central Africa
▪ In 2016, there were 6.1 million `{`4.9 million–7.6 million`}` people living with HIV in western and central Africa.
- Women account for 56% of the total number of people living with HIV in the region.
▪ In 2016, there were an estimated 370 000 `{`270 000–490 000`}` new HIV infections in western and central Africa.
- New HIV infections declined by 9% between 2010 and 2016.
▪ In western and central Africa, 310 000 `{`220 000–400 000`}` people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2016.
- Between 2010 and 2016, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the region fell by 21%.
▪ In 2016, in western and central Africa, 2.1 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy, 35% `{`24–44%`}` of all people living with HIV in the region.
▪ There were 60 000 `{`35 000–89 000`}` new HIV infections among children in western and central Africa in 2016.
- Since 2010, there has been a 33% decline in new HIV infections among children in the region.
Middle East and North Africa
▪ In 2016, there were 230 000 `{`160 000–380 000`}` people living with HIV in the Middle East and North Africa.
▪ In 2016, there were an estimated 18 000 `{`11 000–39 000`}` new HIV infections in the region.
- New HIV infections fell by 4% between 2010 and 2016.
▪ In the Middle East and North Africa, 11 000 `{`7700–19 000`}` people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2016.
- Between 2010 and 2016, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the region increased by 19%.
▪ Treatment coverage in 2016 was just 24% `{`15–41%`}` among people living with HIV in the Middle East and North Africa.
▪ There were 1400 `{`<1000–3300`}` new HIV infections among children in the Middle East and North Africa in 2016.
(UN AIDS)
Namibia work
Many groups have a range of similar activities covering health, income generation, peer counselling and support, home-based care, and community outreach and cultural activities. Moreover, there are a significant number of groups who are undertaking some kind of support work with APLHIV (aka OVCs).