7/28/2019 Assessing the Impact of HIV and AIDS on Older People

1/1

Assessing the Impact of HIV and AIDS on Older People (50+) and Persons with Disability

in Africa a Case of Data Disaggregation by Age, Sex and Impairments

Mwachi, D1. et al, 2013HelpAge International- East, West, Central and Southern Africa Regional Development

Centre Regional Monitoring Evidence and Learning Adviser

Acknowledgment:Dr. D. Lackey, Mr. K. Mambo, Mr. S. Obara, Ms. Wamuyu Manyara, Muriel Mac-Seing

Handicap International

Issues: Lack of disaggregated data by age, sex and impairment for older people (50+) despite studies indicating that

they are at risk due to the fact that they are sexually active or at risk as care givers to the orphaned children by AIDS

Description: Lack of data disaggregation by age and impairment by HIV and AIDS related population based

surveys and routine data sources in Sub Saharan Africa. Lack of data has made it difficult to determine and

understand the needs of these vulnerable groups and to monitor the adequacy of service provision. Older people are

also care givers to the orphaned children by AIDS, but the available data is scanty. There is also no linkage between

HIV and AIDS data and that of persons with disabilities. For instance, there currently exist no data on the number of

persons living with HIV who also are disabled and on older people who are receiving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

Without the data, regional and national HIV and AIDS strategic frameworks and plans of action will not prioritizeand resource programmes to address the impact on older persons and persons with disabilities.

Lessons: Countries where data is available on older people and person with disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, HIV

prevalence has been shown to equal to or higher than national prevalence. For example the rate for the 50-54 age

groups in Kenya, South Africa and Swaziland is higher than national average, and in Kenya 5% for the 50-64 age

group compared to 7.1% for the 15-49 age groups 2. Studies also estimate that, at least 40%-50%3 of caregivers are

older people, mainly women. A survey from South Africa reports HIV prevalence among persons with disabilities at

14.1%4; a study from Kenya among deaf people reports HIV prevalence of 7% 5; and unpublished data from Senegal

suggest that HIV prevalence among persons with disabilities in the Dakar region is almost double (1.2%) that of the

non-disabled population6.

Next steps: HIV and AIDS sero-behavior surveys, such as AIDS indicator survey, should extend to age 65,

demographic and health surveys should determine HIV prevalence for both women and men up to age 60. The tools

also need to be revised to assess access to HCT and ART services for the 50+ group. Need to integrate data on older

people and persons with disabilities in national HIV and AIDS database (HMIS). Involvement of key stakeholders in

national survey design and data collection tools, strengthening the collaboration between national bureau of statistics

and CSOs representing older people and persons with disabilities and lastly national governments commitment and

gaining the support of influential organizations and donors for data disaggregation by age, sex and impairment.

2 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey 2007, South Africa National HIV Prevalence IBC Survey 2008, Swaziland DHS 2006-20073 Unicef. State of World Children Report 20074Shisana, O. et al. South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey 2008: A TurningTide among Teenagers? 2009, HSRC Press: Cape Town.5Taegtmeyer, T. et al.A peer-led HIV counseling and testing programme for the deaf in Kenya Disability and Rehabilitation,2008.31(6): p. 508-514.6RARS/APAPS. Rapport de ltude sur la vulnrabilit des personnes vivant avec une dficience face au VIH dans la rgion de

Dakar au Sngal, 2011. Unpublished report. Handicap International.