The North-West Region has recorded the highest HIV prevalence in Cameroon, according to the latest findings of the Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA) 2024-2025, released by the Ministry of Public Health.
The survey found that 5.6 percent of adults aged 15 years and above in the North-West Region are living with HIV, making it the most affected region in the country. The figure is almost twice the national prevalence of 3.0 percent, which represents an estimated 501,000 adults living with HIV nationwide.
The findings show that seven of the country's twelve survey regions have HIV prevalence rates above the national average. Besides the North-West, the affected regions include Adamawa, Centre (excluding Yaoundé), East, Littoral (excluding Douala), South and South-West. The Far North recorded the lowest prevalence at 1.5 percent.
Despite carrying the country's highest HIV burden, the North-West also recorded one of the strongest treatment outcomes. According to the survey, 89.9 percent of adults living with HIV in the region have achieved viral load suppression, the highest rate recorded nationwide. Viral load suppression means the virus has been reduced to very low levels through treatment, allowing people living with HIV to remain healthy while significantly reducing the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
Nationally, the survey estimates that Cameroon records about 21,000 new HIV infections every year among adults aged 15 years and above. Nearly three out of every four new infections occur among women, highlighting the continued vulnerability of women and adolescent girls to HIV infection.
The CAMPHIA survey also assessed the country's progress towards the global 95-95-95 HIV targets. It found that 77.1 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 96.4 percent of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral load suppression. While Cameroon has met the second and third targets, the report notes that the first target—ensuring that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status—remains a major challenge.
Health experts say the findings underscore the urgent need to expand HIV testing, especially in high-burden regions such as the North-West, where insecurity has disrupted health services in many communities. They stress that early diagnosis and prompt treatment remain the most effective ways to reduce new infections and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
Conducted between September 2024 and January 2025, the nationwide household survey involved more than 25,000 adults across Cameroon. It was led by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Institute of Statistics with support from the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other partners.
This version is suitable for an online publication and places the emphasis squarely on the North-West Region while accurately reflecting the latest CAMPHIA findings.
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