HIV and AIDS in mining townships in Botswana: A comparison of Orapa, Jwaneng, Sowa and Selebi-Phikwe

Abstract

All sectors of human interaction are affected by HIV and AIDS internationally, regionally and nationally. The mining sector, which generally employs the largest number of men, has often been the most affected. This paper seeks to compare HIV prevalence and trends among people aged 6 weeks and above in the 4 mining townships in Botswana, namely: Orapa, Jwaneng, Sowa and Selebi-Phikwe. The paper seeks to (a) establish the cause of the prevalence, (b) establish the difference and similarity between the four mining townships, (c) provide indicative trends in sexual and preventive behavior among the population aged 10 to 64 and (d) investigate any interventions employed by the mines to address the epidemic and assess their impact if any. The data used for this paper is derived from the 2013 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey IV (BIAS IV). SPSS Version 21 software was used for data analysis. To establish the trends, comparison of HIV prevalence was obtained from BAIS II and III. Jwaneng, which is an open township, and Orapa, the only closed mining township, both have the lowest prevalence compared to the other mining townships. Jwaneng and Orapa have consistently shown a decline in the HIV prevalence compared to Selebi-Phikwe, which has consistently shown an increase in prevalence