(c) Effects Of HIVAIDS On The Nation 

In Africa, it is said that if you are not infected with the HIV virus then you are in a way affected by it. One of the most affected people by the epidemic is the orphans. The children are mostly left to fend for themselves, because only very few countries in the continent have programs that cater for these AIDS Orphans. The problems that face the continent in fighting the epidemic can be summarized as:
  • Lack of adequate healthcare facilities, antiretroviral treatment, and support for the growing number of illnesses reported that are related to HIV.
  • Handling the impact has had on the population in terms of increasing the number of orphans, living standards and development of communities.
  • Decreasing the number of new infections and helping the infected to be self-reliant (USAID, 2011).
  • The effect that HIV and AIDS has had on the population of many African countries include
  • Lowering the life expectancy. HIV and AIDS have eroded much of the efforts geared at increasing the life expectancy in most countries particularly in Africa. The average life expectancy in most African countries is 52 years and in the heavily affected countries, the life expectancy is less than 51 (UNDP, 2010).the life expectancy in many countries has been reducing over the years and this has been blamed on the increase on or prevalence of AIDS.
  • Effect on the household. When an incomer earner dies, the family will mostly be left penniless and this accounts for the many street children and families in many African countries. Sometimes people are forced to cater for their sick siblings. This reduces their earnings and when the infected individuals die, they leave the burden of their children to their families, which are already facing problems of their own.
  • The epidemic is hindering healthcare deliverance in many countries. Hospitals are filling up with AIDS patients and many of the infected people cannot access medication or treatment.
  • HIV and AIDS have really affected the productivity of many African countries. This has also posed a threat to the growth and development of the countries as the workforce reduces. Many of the people living with HIV in Africa are between 15 and 49 years- a time that there are in their most resourceful age (USAID, 2011).