Aids continues to threaten transport workers

Ebola may have taken the spotlight, but Aids continues to be one of the deadliest threats to people working in the transport and logistics industry in Africa. It is not only truck drivers who are at risk but also management as many expats spend extended time away from home, or are single. Prevalence of HIV among urban women is 1.6 times higher, on average, than among rural women and urban men for 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Health Organisation. Two of the worst-hit countries neighbour on South Africa. Prevalence of HIV among urban women is as high as 37% in Swaziland and 31% in Lesotho. It is estimated that roughly 70% of all people living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, despite accounting for just 13% of the world’s population, according to HIV and Aids charity Avert. South Africa continues to be home to the largest number of Aids-infected people. With the exception of India (third), the top 10 countries with the largest number of people living with HIV between 2005 and 2013 are all African. They are, in order, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. South Africa continues to be the hot-spot for new infections followed by Nigeria, Uganda, India, Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia. On the positive side, the annual number of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa has decreased by 34% since 2010 CAPTION A truck speeds by a North Star Alliance Roadside Wellness Centre in Maai Mahiu, Kenya. Photo: Dave Chidley