Aids in Ghana; 1986-1989: epidemiological aspects

ABSTRACT

Surveillance of AIDS in Ghana began in 1985 following the formation of the National Technical Committee on AIDS. Surveillance is based on passive reports from health institutions all over the country. The case definition adopted was that of the World Health Organization clinical case definition for Africa. This was slightly modified for Ghana in October 1988. By the end of December 1989; 1;226 cases of AIDS had been reported to the Ministry of Health. 971 (79.2 per cent) of the cases were female and 225 (20 per cent) male. The mean ages for males and females were 34.2 and 32.4 years respectively. Only 17 cases (1.4 per cent) were aged less than 15 years old. Whilst there was a female preponderance in reported AIDS cases at the beginning of the epidemic in 1986; significant changes have occurred in the malefemale ratio; underscoring the fact that HIV transmission in the country is mainly by heterosexual contact