Malawi 2015-16

HIV PREVALENCE 14
Key Findings
HIV prevalence: 8.8% of women age 15-49 and men
age 15-49 in Malawi are infected with HIV; HIV
prevalence is higher among women than men (10.8%
versus 6.4%).
HIV prevalence by residence: HIV prevalence is
twice as high in urban areas than in rural areas (14.6%
versus 7.4%).
HIV prevalence according to region: HIV prevalence
in the Southern region (12.8%) is more than twice as
high as in the Northern (5.1%) and Central (5.6%)
regions.
• HIV prevalence among young people: HIV prevalence
is 4.9% among young women and 1% among young men
age 15-24.
Prior HIV testing by current HIV status: 88.9% of
women and men who are HIV positive have ever been
tested for HIV and received the test result.
T
he 2015-16 MDHS included HIV prevalence testing for women age 15-49 and men age 15-54. The
specimen collection and HIV testing procedures are described in the method section of this report’s
introductory chapter.
14.1 COVERAGE RATES FOR HIV TESTING
Nine in ten women and men age 15-49 who were eligible for HIV testing were interviewed, and consented
to and had a blood specimen collected and tested for HIV (Table 14.1). Five percent of women and men
eligible for HIV testing refused to provide a blood specimen and 1.3% was not available for blood
collection after repeated attempts to contact them. A higher proportion of women consented to be HIV
tested than men (93% versus 87%).
HIV testing response rate
Percentage of women and men who are tested for HIV as part of the DHS
survey.
Sample: Women and men in households selected for HIV testing determined
to be eligible for HIV testing based on information collected in the household
questionnaire.
The HIV testing response rate is calculated as follows:
Women age 15-49 and men age 15-54 who were interviewed and whose
blood sample underwent HIV testing
All women age 15-49 and men age 15-54 in households selected for HIV
testing
HIV Prevalence • 229