Assessment of epidemiological situation - Rwanda

HIV information among antenatal clinic attendees is available from Rwanda since the late 1980s. In Kigali, the major urban area, 32 percent of antenatal clinic attendees tested in 1988 were HIV positive. HIV prevalence has ranged between 25 and 33 percent among antenatal clinic attendees in Kigali through 1995. In 1997, HIV prevalence ranged from 10 to 28 percent among antenatal clinic women tested at two sites. HIV information by age is available for 1989, 1991 and 1992-93. Peak HIV prevalence of over 35 percent was seen among 20-24 year old antenatal clinic attendees in both 1989 and 1992-93.

Outside of Kigali, HIV prevalence among antenatal clinic attendees ranged from 10 to 8 percent from 1989-90 to 1997. In 1996, HIV prevalence among antenatal attendees tested in 6 sites outside of Kigali ranged from 4 to 17 percent. During this year, peak prevalence was seen among the 20-29 year old antenatal attendees.

Information on HIV prevalence among male STD clinic patients is available from Kigali since 1986. HIV prevalence reached 55 percent among male STD clinic patients tested in 1988-1990. In 1996, 29 percent of STD clinic patients tested in Kigali and 55 percent of patients in Biryogo were HIV positive. Among female STD clinic patients tested, HIV prevalence ranged from 69 to 77 percent between 1986 and 1991.