At a glance
CDC supports HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services in Botswana through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). CDC also collaborates with partners to support tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control programs in Botswana.
Background
CDC partnered with Botswana in 1995, translating health research into methods to strengthen TB prevention and control. In 2000, this partnership expanded to include HIV prevention and treatment. It also included development of programs to maximize the quality, coverage, and impact of Botswana's HIV response.
With support from PEPFAR, CDC continues to collaborate with Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOH) in their response to HIV. This partnership includes services like HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment (ART), prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and voluntary medical male circumcision. CDC also works with Botswana on TB prevention and control programs.
Download CDC Botswana's Fact Sheet
HIV and TB key data
HIV/AIDS
Estimated HIV Prevalence (Ages 15-49)
Estimated AIDS Deaths (Age≥15)
Estimated Orphans Due to AIDS
Reported Number Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (Age≥15)
Tuberculosis (TB)
Estimated TB Incidence
TB Patients with Known HIV-Status who are HIV-Positive
TB Treatment Success Rate
Milestones
Surpassing UNAIDS treatment targets
Botswana demonstrates that HIV epidemic control is achievable, as measured by the 2030 UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.
Progress toward targets for ending HIV
In 2021, results from the Fifth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V) showed that Botswana has surpassed the UNAIDS targets at 95-98-98.
The country also became the first high-burden country to attain WHO "Silver Tier" certification.
Key activities and accomplishments
Addressing gaps in HIV services
CDC and partners will continue to use BAIS V data to prioritize service provision, especially among adolescents and young adults. This includes improving services for adolescents and children living with HIV and key populations. CDC and partners are also working to reduce HIV-related mortality, improve TB preventive therapy coverage, and cervical cancer screening. Additional efforts include implementing a 6-month multi-month dispensing of ART. CDC and partners also emphasize equity for all persons seeking HIV services regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, or geography.
CDC is also supporting Botswana to achieve WHO “Gold Tier” certification. This includes maintaining mother-to-child transmission of less than five percent and providing prenatal care and ART to over 95 percent of pregnant women. CDC and partners are working to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and hepatitis through clinical mentorship and continuous quality improvement (CQI).
Building public health capacity
CDC collaborates with partners, including the Botswana MOH, to enhance the country's public health capacity. These efforts include:
- Extending the Clinical Mentorship Program to all health districts.
- Enhancing public health capacity to provide high-quality HIV services.
- Expanding MOH research capacity through partnerships and training.
- Maintaining CQI for targeted interventions in all health districts.
- Strengthening public health infrastructure through FETP.
- Supporting Botswana's Public Health Institute to sustain HIV control.
Enhancing disease surveillance
CDC-Botswana provides testing for recent HIV infection in the traditional HIV testing services program, linking results to case-based surveillance. Recency testing was expanded from 10 to over 200 sites, offering essential information about new HIV diagnoses, infections, and ongoing transmission.
Public health teams use experience gained from COVID-19 case control efforts to improve HIV case-finding. Rapid response teams use recency and case-based surveillance and geographic data to identify recent HIV infection clusters. Tailored HIV testing strategies and effective treatment and prevention interventions, including PrEP are also provided to populations at highest risk.
Strengthening health information systems
CDC continues to work with Botswana’s MOH to strengthen the country’s data and laboratory systems. Data support includes improving electronic medical records, system interoperability, and analysis capacity. Laboratory support includes quality diagnostics, emerging infection response capacity development, and assistance with accrediting testing and laboratory sites with international standards.
Resources
Support for CDC's global HIV and TB efforts
Our success is built on the backbone of science and partnerships.