June 9, 2009 – South Africa’s HIV statistics were updated when the results of the third National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey were released at an event in Cape Town today.
Conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the survey attempts to determine the levels of HIV prevalence in South Africa as well as the sexual behaviour of the respondents.
Attended by the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, the event was chaired by 46664’s Communications Manager, Chantal Cuddumbey, and the results were presented by HSRC CEO Dr Olive Shisana.
According to the report released by the HSRC, “South Africa’s HIV epidemic has levelled off at a prevalence of 10.9% for people aged two years and older, with 5.2-million people estimated to be living with HIV in 2008. HIV prevalence has also declined among children aged 2-14, from 5.6% in 2002 to 2.5% in 2008, and a decline in new infections has also been noted among teenagers aged 15-19.”
In addition, the results note a reduction in HIV prevalence among teenagers and an increase of condom usage from 57% in 2002 to 87% in 2008.
Sean Jooste, project director of the survey, expressed his enthusiasm about the positive message to come out of the survey: “The increasing number of people using condoms is positive; people at risk are using condoms.” In the question and answer session this was again raised by Minister Motsoaledi, who asked whether government should be encouraging the use of condoms or simply promoting abstinence. The response from Dr Shisana echoed Jooste’s response that if abstinence was not chosen, condoms should be encouraged as a form of HIV prevention.
However, warned Shisana, there are still a number of challenges to be faced, including a “high level of HIV prevalence among females aged 25-29, [which] has been at a level of 33% over the period of three surveys”, an increase in intergenerational sex among females aged 15-19, and an increase in the prevalence of multiple concurrent partners.
The Minister emphasised that South Africa needs to focus all its efforts on fighting HIV. “It is important to set very ambitious targets,” he added.
A downloadable PDF version of the South African National HIV Prevalence Incidence, Behaviour and Communications Survey, 2008 is available.