§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of pregnant women aged between 15 and 24 years in sub-Saharan Africa suffered from HIV/AIDS in the last year for which figures are available. [139535]
Mr. Gareth ThomasThere is limited data on the prevalence rate among pregnant women in the 15 to 24-year-age group. However, the level of HIV infection among pregnant women is similar to that in the general female population and the latter can be used as a proxy for the prevalence in pregnant women of the same age.
1163WThe latest UNAIDS estimates of the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in women aged 15 to 24 years in sub-Saharan Africa range between a low of 6.4 per cent. and a high of 11.4 per cent. at the end of 2001. The World Bank estimates the middle point of this range as 9.3 per cent.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the prevalence rates of HIV infection were in vulnerable groups in Asia in each of the last 10 years. [139541]
Mr. Gareth ThomasComprehensive data showing prevalence rates for these vulnerable groups in Asia is not available for the whole period requested. What data is available comes mainly from internationally accepted sources e.g. UNAIDS (see www.unaids.org). It does suggest a clear trend of increasing HIV prevalence in specific vulnerable groups in several countries.
DFID is working closely with others, including UNAIDS, to improve data on HIV prevalence in these marginalised and often hidden population groups in China, India and other Asian countries.