HIV Prevention in Lesotho
The government of Lesotho has implemented several HIV prevention strategies, including educational campaigns, work-based HIV prevention initiatives, the targeting of high-risk groups and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. An estimated $26.5 million was spent on HIV prevention between 2006-07.
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
Mothers on ARV Treatment have a less than 5% chance of transmitting HIV to their newborn. In recent years Lesotho has dramatically increased PMTCT services. In 2005 only 12% of pregnant HIV positive women were receiving antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission. By 2007 this figure had increased to 32 percent and by 2011, 62% of HIV positive women were receiving antiretroviral drugs for PMTCT.
Targeting High-risk groups
HIV awareness education and condom social marketing has been targeted towards sex workers, migrant labourers, factory workers, young people and long-distance taxi and truck drivers. The 2002 Behavioural Surveillance survey found that knowledge about HIV/AIDS was particularly low amongst miners and taxi drivers.