HIV infection of women in African countries

BACKGROUND: The increase in human immunodeficiency virus infection among women of childbearing age increases the potential risk for vertical transmission of infection to their newborns. AIM: This paper discusses literature reviewed on human immunodeficiency virus infection of women in Africa with reference to Ghana, West Africa. The paper provides an epidemiological overview of human immunodeficiency virus infection of women in Ghana and Africa and the potential risk for vertical transmission and associated contributing factors. Literature reviewed was retrieved from the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and United States National Library of Medicine databases. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings from the review of literature suggest that human immunodeficiency virus infection of African women is a major public health problem which must be addressed and considered a priority in the next decade. Leadership in African countries including nurses and policy-makers will have to do more to make a difference to the epidemic. Measures to reduce transmission of human immunodeficiency virus are discussed.