Missions Monday- Swaziland and the HIV and Aids Epidemic

This is a fairly new blog and you guys know I've been tweaking things and trying to figure out a regular posting schedule and theme. Well, in light of our family's recent connection with the Freeman Family, I have decided to make Monday's theme "Missions Monday". Obviously, I'll be posting missions related stuff. It might be information about certain countries, or missionaries. It could be projects we are working on as a family. It could be ways you can help out or do to help the missions cause. Whatever the post, it will be missions related. :)


As my first Missions Monday post, I thought I would share a little I have learned about Swaziland. Now, I am in no way an expert. This particular nation and family weigh heavy on our hearts as a family so I am doing a bit of research about it.

Did you know?

(information collected from http://www.avert.org/aids-swaziland.htm unless linked to another website)

• In February 2010, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe visited Swaziland where he presented a report estimating that three in every 100 people in Swaziland will be infected with HIV every year leading to an expected 18,000 new infections each year by 2012.

• Approximately 190,000 people in Swaziland are HIV positive, including 15,000 children under age 15 .Swaziland has the world’s most severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, posing a serious challenge to the country’s economic development.

• As elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the huge number of people dying from AIDS in Swaziland exacerbates existing poverty, which in turn leaves individuals vulnerable to the adverse affects of HIV. When those of productive age die from AIDS or are too sick to work, there is less income and therefore less food for families. Lack of adequate food and nutrition leaves individuals less able to cope with HIV if they are infected, as effective treatment depends on a good diet.

•  Around 39 percent of the population are under 14, and those over 65 only account for 3.7 percent.

• HIV/AIDS is also responsible for 47 percent of under-5 mortality in Swaziland.

• There are only 2 physicians available for every 10,000 people, and one nurse for every 356 people in Swaziland.

• The government estimates that only 16 percent of people aged 15-49 years old have been tested for the virus and know their results

• The extremely high rate of tuberculosis (TB) co-infection with HIV is also a major concern and the main cause of mortality in the country