Abstract

This paper poses methodological and ethical questions on the measures adopted by the human development index (HDI) data in assessing development in Africa, with particular emphasis on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). It is a well-known fact that these measures are great indicators of development or otherwise. The central position of the paper is that given the difficulty in collecting data reports on Africa, how accurate and reliable are the HDI standards in measuring the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa? The crux of the argument is giving the cultural deficit of most African societies as well as the HDI measures and standards it deserves thorough assessment.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, human, development, culture.