A Systematic Review On Economic and Demographic Impact of HIV/AIDS IN Nigeria and SOUTH Africa-the PRESENT and the FUTURE

AIDS was first recognized as a disease in the early 1980s. Since then it has spread throughout the world. According to the World Health Organisation's 1999 Annual World Health Report (UNAIDS 1999), it is now the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, responsible for one in five deaths. AIDS will impact on economies in a number of ways as well as the demography of the countries affected. The extent of these impacts has therefore been of interest to investigators but research has been quite scarce on the public domain and hence this study will explore the primary channels through which HIV/AIDS impacts on the economy and demography in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Nigeria and South Africa.

A thorough search of the existing literature on the prevalence of impact of HIV/AIDS among HIV-positive individuals was carried out, using several computerised indices, data bases, hand searching of journals and writing to experts. 10 studies met all eligibility criteria and data was extracted from these studies, using the agreed criteria. Secondary data analysis was used to identify the economic and demographic impact of HIV/AIDS. Results were summarized in the fourth chapter.

The results show a significant current and potential future economic and demographic impact in Nigeria and South Africa. There would be an effect on the Gross Domestic Product and the young population size of these countries. The ray of hope is that these effects are reversible if certain existing and new programmes can be put into full and sustained action.