Epidemiology in the news

South Africa’s HIV prevention and treatment campaign

After an initial postponement, the launch of the South African HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaign took place on April 25, 2010. The campaign aims to test 15 million people (about 30% of South Africa’s population) for HIV by June 2011. Goal is to reduce the rate of infection by 50 percent by 2011. Furthermore, through the campaign, 1.5 million people should receive antiretroviral treatment (ART) by June 2011. Other objectives of the new implementation plan include more emphasis on prevention through information, education, widespread distribution of condoms, and mobilisation of millions of South Africans to know their status. The South Africa National AIDS Council (SANAC) is heading the campaign.

South Africa has the world's largest population of people living with HIV; an estimated 5.7 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in the country in 2009. (1) HIV prevalence in the total population of South Africa has stabilised at a level of around 11% (2). However, HIV infection levels differ substantially by age and sex and also show a very uneven distribution among the nine provinces. (2)

References:

1. Republic of South Africa. Country progress report on the declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS. 2010 report http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2010/southafrica_2010_country_progress_report_en.pdf Accessed May 17, 2009
2. Shisana O, Rehle T, et al. South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2008: Turning Tide among Teenagers. HSRC Press, Cape Town: 2009.