HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges of Stigma, Treatment Access, and Economic Barriers

Abstract

In 2023, a study that was conducted showed that in the Sub-Saharan country of Eswatini, the HIV prevalence rate among adults was 27.5%. Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or HIV/AIDS, is a very prevalent disease caused by the passing of bodily fluids through intercourse. To begin with, to understand how HIV/AIDS works, we must delve into how diseases work. Viruses are infecting agents that inject RNA or DNA into the host cell, depending on the virus type. This leads to the hijacking of cellular machinery to replicate, resulting in disease symptoms. Bacteria are microscopic unicellular organisms, with certain types being beneficial and certain types being detrimental. Genetic disorders are caused by the mutation of genes, causing a disease or sickness. For example, the flu uses proteins known as hemagglutinin to bind to respiratory cells, while bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, or Staph, cause infections that vary from mild skin issues to sepsis. An example of a viral mechanism would be reverse transcriptase in HIV. According to an article, “HIV uses reverse transcriptase (RT) to convert its RNA into viral DNA … Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) prevent HIV from replicating by blocking RT” (HIV.gov, 2025). Genetic disorders, like cystic fibrosis, result from mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene, affecting mucus development and leading to major lung complications (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024, para. 1). To compare these types of diseases, they all cause an abnormal state of the body. In contrast, however, viruses need a host cell to replicate, whereas bacteria can reproduce independently. However, genetic disorders are inherited from the parents rather than caused by external pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.