The Epidemiological Journey of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Presented By:

Sajib Babu

ID: 25015052

Khadiza Akter Bithi

ID: 25015052

Department of Public Health

Canadian University of Bangladesh

Introduction : Discovery & Origins

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system.

• HIV remains one of the most significant public health challenges in the world affecting millions of lives across diverse geographic regions.

• This project utilizes digital mapping tools to visualize the distribution of HIV across 150+ countries making complex data easier to understand.

• By analyzing global data we identify high-density regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa where the burden of the virus is most severe.

• The study highlights the contrast between high-prevalence areas and high-population countries like Bangladesh where even low percentages represent many cases.

• The goal is to show how visual data can help health organizations allocate resources and plan effective strategies to end the epidemic by 2030.

Methodology: Tracking the Virus

• Molecular Epidemiology: Scientists monitor the genetic diversity of HIV, focusing on HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains, to track how the virus evolves and spreads across different continents.

• Geospatial Hotspot Analysis: This project uses R Leaflet to identify “High-Density Zones.” By mapping 150+ countries, we pinpoint exactly where the virus is most active, such as the concentrated clusters in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Prevalence vs. Density Mapping: We analyze the relationship between a country’s infection rate (Prevalence) and its total population to identify hidden risks in high-population areas like South Asia.

• Impact Surveillance: Methodology includes tracking the availability of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in various regions to measure how effectively the virus is being suppressed globally.

Results: Geographic Shift and Current Data

• The Epicenter: Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region, with South Africa (7.8M cases) and Mozambique (2.5M cases) showing the highest absolute numbers.

• High Prevalence Zones: Southern African nations like Eswatini (23.4%) and Lesotho (17.1%) show alarmingadult prevalence rates.

• Emerging Risks: Significant caseloads in India (2.6M) and Pakistan (350K) indicate that while the prevalence percentage is low, the total number of people living with HIV in Asia remains a majorpublic health concern.

Discussion: Severity and Public Health Risks

• Health Infrastructure: In regions with high red-density markers, the demand for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) often outstrips supply, leading to higher AIDS-related mortality.

• Social Impact: High prevalence rates (above 10%) correlate with decreased labor productivity and increased economic strain on developing nations.

• Asymptomatic Spread: The map illustrates that many regions with low prevalence still face risks due to high population density and lack of widespread diagnostic testing.

Conclusion: Prevention and Future Strategy

• Increase testing and the use of preventive medicine like PrEP to stop new infections.

• Promote education to reduce social stigma and encourage early diagnosis.

• Ensure universal access to antiretroviral therapy for all patients.

• Aim for the 95-95-95 target to ensure diagnosis and treatment for all by 2030.

• Focus on vaccine research and digital mapping to control the virus globally.