Ethiopia has a large and very vulnerable population, with an estimated 15 percent of the population living below the poverty line. HIV/AIDS is one of the key challenges for the overall development of Ethiopia, as it has led to a seven-year decrease in life expectancy and a greatly reduced workforce.

Ethiopia faces an epidemic among sub-populations and geographic areas, with an estimated overall HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 percent, based on testing a sample of 5,780 men and 5,300 women age 15 to 49 who gave informed consent. Within the individual regions, this testing found the prevailing rate varied from 0.2 in the SNNPR to a high of 6.0 percent in the Gambela Region. While previous estimations were higher, expansion of surveillance data and improved analyses resulted in significantly lower estimations for 2005. Based on the same survey, HIV prevalence has declined to about 3.2% to 4.7% percent in urban areas.
The primary mode of HIV transmission in Ethiopia is heterosexual contact. Young women are more vulnerable to infection than young men; urban women are three times as likely to be infected as urban men, although in rural areas the difference between genders is negligible. Populations at higher risk for HIV infection include people in prostitution, police officers and members of the military.

Reduced productivity, civil conflict, poor farming conditions, and recurrent droughts leave 10,000 to 150,000 people at risk of starvation each year. In the health sector, there is a shortage of health workers and counselors, in addition to poor access to sparse health services, inadequate sanitation, inefficient procurement systems, and weak monitoring and evaluation systems. Conflict, famine and drought have led to widespread population movements, adding to displacements caused by cross-border tensions. As of January 2007, there were an estimated 97,300 refugees in Ethiopia.

A program is being developed to distribute generic drugs donated by various aid groups to women of childbearing years.

Though, you can not defend the above facts. Ethiopians should not be negligent to protect their name on a group on social network that uses “Ethiopia” name to mock on us.

“Oi Slag, Your Legs Spread Faster Than Aids In Ethiopia!” Facebook group.

Slag meaning is broadly used in UK & it is similar to the terms "slut" and "skank". This group has got 26,000 fans or likes. We have to do every thing we can to stop these groups from using our name on horrific effects using social net works like Facebook. Besides, Facebook Administration should not allow such group to use such unlawful acts on its web.


Infact, our Prime Minster also teased in parliament on his response to America fund to Ethiopia against Somali’s groups. His response was “We can not fight Somali’ groups using condoms”. The real objective of the question was “Are you fighting Somali groups to get more funds from America.” But, he wanted to make it clear that, America fund is mainly focuses on HIV/AIDS programs; & it is none of his business. What can we do?, if we preferred silence, playing on our serious problem will carry on.

NewsDire Contributor