2017 Annual Report

Abstract

In 2017, HIV prevalence was 2.1% as against that of 2.4% in 2016 and 1.8% in 2015 amongst pregnant women attending Antenatal Care. (2017 HIV Sentinel Survey Report, May 2018) A total of one million, two hundred and seventy-one thousand, three hundred and forty-seven (1,271,347) out of a targeted two million, six hundred and thirty-five thousand, and forty-nine persons (2,635,049) were tested for HIV; giving a coverage of 48%. Approximately 14% were males (179,667), 21% were non-pregnant women, and the remaining 65% were pregnant women. Three thousand, seven hundred and fifty (3,750) sites were providing PMTCT services by the end of 2017. Out of a targeted 1,158,263 pregnant women, eight hundred and twenty thousand, one hundred and ninety-one (820,191) were tested and counselled for HIV and also received their results. This represents 71% coverage of expected (1,158,263) pregnancies for the year. Fifteen thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine (15,829) out of the 820,191 were HIV positive (1.9%), and 10,568 (67% of positives) were provided ARVs to Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT). About 51% of the 15,829 expected HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) received Early Infant Diagnosis (EID). Eight percent (8%) of the 8,082 HEIs were positive (643). Twenty-six thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine (26,969) adults and children were initiated on ART in 2017, (7,502 males and 19,467 females) in 375 sites. The target for the year was twenty-six thousand (26,000). This brings the total number of clients on ART to 125,667. Currently, the estimated HIV population in Ghana is approximately 313,000 (EPP Spectrum Estimates 2017). The estimated ART coverage is therefore 40%. During the year, NACP organized trainings for health care workers in HIV Testing and Counselling, PMTCT/EID & DBS, ART, LMIS in all ten regions as part of the plan to improve access to HIV services