As is the case with several other predominantly Muslim West African nations, AIDS is not yet an overwhelming health issue in Guinea. HIV prevalence is estimated by UNAIDS to be only 1.5 percent (although a 2001 USAID seroprevalence survey indicated a higher 2.8 percent rate of infection).

Malaria takes a heavy toll in Guinea, with a death rate of 1,037 per 100,000 Guineans under the age of five. The tuberculosis death rate is 58 per 100,000.

Sources: IRIN, December 26 2003, Guinea: Uncertainties at the End of an Era (ICG report), Synergy Project, United Nations Statistics Division

• Increasing access to curative services from 43% in 1990 to 90% in 2000.
• Increasing access to antenatal health care to 90% by 2000.
• Increasing immunisation rates for childhood diseases from 33% in 1990 to 80% in 2000.

There is no further information on Guinea's health policies readily available.

Source: Republic of Guinea home page: health information

Demographic data contained in this section was obtained from the following sources: The Population Reference Bureau’s 2009 World Population Data Sheet was used for total population, life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, fertility, birth rate, death rate, % of married women 15-49 using modern methods of contraception, % of population 15-49 with HIV/AIDS in 2007/2008, and the GNI PPP per capita (2008). Literacy rates were found in the Population Reference Bureau’s publication 2005 Women of Our World. HIV prevalence data for 2001 and 2003 was obtained from the UNAIDS Barcelona 2002 report; HIV prevalence and orphan data for 2005 was obtained from the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2006. Data on the % women who have discussed AIDS prevention with their husband or partner can be found in ORC Macro and USAID’s Women’s Lives and Experiences: Changes in the Past Ten Years (Research Findings from the Demographic and Health Surveys). Childhood malaria mortality data was accessed in 2003 from the United Nations Statistics Divisions’ Millennium Indicators. Tuberculosis data was obtained from the United Nations Statistics Division’s Millennium Indicators: MDGInfo 2006. In some cases information was unavailable.

Source: Republic of Guinea home page: health information

University of Conakry, Faculty of Medical Sciences