Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major public health challenge worldwide, with approximately 39.9 million people currently living with the virus. Women account for 53% of this population, highlighting a significant gender disparity in HIV infections. Despite global efforts to combat the epidemic, progress in reducing this disparity has been slow. The impact is particularly severe in Sub-Saharan Africa, where women, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, face a much higher risk of infection. This region continues to bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic, with social, economic, and cultural factors influencing the rate of transmission.
Ghana exemplifies the challenges faced in addressing HIV-related gender disparities. According to the Ghana AIDS Commission, in 2022, 67.5% of the 354,927 people living with HIV in the country were women. This imbalance can be attributed to various interconnected factors, including poverty, limited education, gender inequality, and barriers to accessing healthcare. Cultural norms and stigma further exacerbate these challenges, discouraging women from seeking testing and treatment services. While awareness and prevention campaigns have expanded in recent years, structural barriers still hinder progress in reducing the disproportionate burden on women.
One of the critical strategies in addressing HIV in Ghana is increasing access to testing. Ghana has adopted the UNAIDS 95-95-95 strategy, which aims to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART achieve viral suppression by 2025. To achieve these goals, the country has implemented various testing approaches, including community-based testing, mobile testing units, and, more recently, HIV self-testing (HIVST). These initiatives aim to reach individuals who may face barriers to traditional healthcare settings, ensuring that more people get tested and receive timely treatment. The adoption of the Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) model in 2016 helped to improve access, particularly for women in underserved areas.
In June 2022, Ghana officially launched an HIV self-testing program, providing individuals with the option to test themselves in private settings. This initiative has played a significant role in increasing case detection and supporting the country’s progress toward the 95-95-95 targets. As of 2022, approximately 72% of people living with HIV in Ghana are aware of their status. Women have particularly benefited from routine HIV testing offered in antenatal care services. However, recent statistics indicate that only 31.4% of women have been tested in the last year, revealing a significant gap in achieving the first target of the UNAIDS strategy.
Despite the progress made, many individuals remain unaware of their HIV status, which poses a significant challenge to prevention and treatment efforts. A 2021 study found that only 13% of Ghanaian women had been tested for HIV in the 12 months preceding the survey. This highlights the need for further research and targeted interventions to ensure that more women, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, have access to HIV testing services. Addressing these barriers is essential to reducing new infections and achieving Ghana’s HIV prevention and treatment goals. Expanding education, reducing stigma, and increasing funding for community-based testing initiatives will be crucial in closing the gender gap in HIV prevention and care.
