Globally, 36.7 Million people are living with HIV and 30% of them do not know their status (UNAIDS, 2017). Out of the number, 1.8 million are children. Global HIV prevalence of adult is 0.8%.

In Tanzania, 1.4 million people are living with HIV, equals to 4.7% prevalence rate of adult. Data shows that HIV prevalence rate among men is 3.9 % as compared to 6.3% of women (ibid). In 2016 it was reported that, in Tanzania 55,000 people were newly infected by HIV and about 33,000 people died of HIV and AIDS related dieses (UNAIDS, 2017). The variation of HIV prevalence with education was not consistent in women as was in men. In men 15-49 years of age, HIV prevalence peaked in those who had completed primary school (7%) and was lowest among those with at least some secondary education (2%). The Ministry of Health also reported that HIV prevalence correlated positively with wealth. The HIV prevalence was lower in the lowest wealth quintile (3% in men and 5% in women) than in highest wealth quintile (5% in male and 8% in female). In general, HIV prevalence is lower among people with secondary level education and above (3.4%), the less wealthy (3.9%), the unemployed (3.3%) and in rural populations (4.3%) (Ministry of Health and social welfare, 2013).

Towards 90-90-90 targets among children, youth and adults with the age of (15-59), people who are aware of HIV status are 70% of which 88% are on treatment and out of them 52% have their HIV viral load suppressed (UNAIDS, 2017 and Tanzania Ministry of Health, 2017). In 2016, HIV among youth of age (15- 24) were 55,000 out of which 35, 000 were young women as compared to 20,000 young men of the same age. Young women tend to be infected earlier than young men because they have older partners and get married much earlier (TACAIDS, 2013). 

According to the National Statistics Bureau (NBS) 30% of the country’s population of age (10-24) is sexually active population, but only less than half of them have adequate knowledge about HIV (NBS, 2013). By 2014, it was estimated that 6% of this group lives with HIV, and in 2016 (4.7%) of age (10-19) were living with HIV. Young people engage in early sex before the age of 15, by not using condoms, having multiple sexual partners. Unfortunately, in Tanzania there is a limited HIV response to this group. Unless new strategies and new interventions are made available to accelerate testing and start strategy, our children remain vulnerable to HIV.

In support of the Global initiatives to mainstream HIV and AIDs in Tanzania, PDF works to advocate for policy review, development and propose amendments for new HIV and AIDS policy; mainstream test and start program for all age groups; Provide comprehensive knowledge about HIV to the adolescent group; and Document, develop, and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt to the stakeholders at Regional and national Level.