A report on Human Immuno- deficiency virus (HIV) Infection in Ghana up to December 1986

Abstract

One hundred and fifteen people detected to be seropositive for HIV infection in Ghana in 1986 are described. Ninety per cent were female, most were of the sexually active age group. Ninety-six per cent had recently resided abroad, particularly in Cote d'lvoire. and many had worked abroad as prostitutes. They had most probably acquired infection there. Seventy-six per cent were ill with AIDS or AIDS related complex. Random sampling of groups of the general population revealed no seropositives, although 4 prostitutes working in Accra/ Tema were infected. Of attendants at an Accra venereal disease clinic 3 were infected all of whom had been to Cote d’Ivoire recently. Our results show that the AIDS virus has now spread into Ghana and urgent measures are described to try to prevent the spread of AIDS throughout the community.