Abstract:
The first evidence of HIV infection in Ethiopia was recognized in the early 1980’s.
The first two AIDS cases were reported in 1986. Since then, the disease has
spread at an alarming rate. Currently, the Country is home to the third largest
HIV/AIDS infected population next to India and South Africa. According to a
recent report by the Ministry of Health, a total of 2.2 million people are estimated
to live with the HIV virus, of which 200,000 are AIDS cases. Evidences show the
adverse effects of HIV/AIDS on life expectancy. HIV/AIDS resulted in a life
expectancy of 46 years instead of 53 years in 2001 (a decline by 7 years). If the
spread of the disease is not checked, by 2014, the life expectancy at birth is
estimated to be 9 years below projected life expectancy had there been no
HIV/AIDS (MoH 2002).
