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A new report, published by the Human Science Research Council, on the prevalence and incidence of HIV in South Africa, showed a significant decline in new infections in 2017, compared to a similar survey there is five years. The researchers found that consistent condom use was low, that first intercourse before the age of 15 had increased among men and that over one-third of young women had bad. bad with older men. "It is disturbing to note that very little change in behavior seems to have occurred since 2012," said Dr. Mpumi Zungu of the HIV / AIDS, STIs and Tuberculosis (HAST) Research Program of the World Health Organization. Commission and co-principal investigator (PI) of the survey
"This suggests that most of the reduction in new infections was likely due to the impact of the expanded ARV treatment program", she said.
Decline in Incidence Rates
based on interviews with 33,000 people between January and December 2017, including 24,000 agreeing to be tested for HIV
The survey was conducted revealed a significant decline in incidence rates, but an estimated 231,100 new HIV infections. According to researchers, although still high, it is a significant decline from 2012.
The survey found that the HIV incidence rate was higher in women aged 15 to 24, where he was Dr. Sizulu Moyo of the HAST research program, and one of the co-investigators in the study, said that the investigation had revealed than more than 60% or about 4.4 million people living with HIV She said the study also found that viral suppression was 87.3% among PHAs who were on antiretroviral therapy, women being generally more likely to be viral than men aged 15 years. at 64 years old.
"This suggestion However, there is still much to be done for HIV-positive people to seek treatment as soon as they are tested, in line with current testing and treatment policy," said Moyo. However, the survey revealed that communication campaigns on social and behavioral change – such as those implemented by Soul City, CCI, LoveLife and Community Media Trust – were reaching South Africans
found that people who were strongly exposed to these campaigns reported higher HIV testing, condom use, and correct knowledge of HIV compared to those with little or no exposure.
Source: News24
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