The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI), which reveals progress and challenges in Gauteng’s fight against HIV/Aids.
According to the report, Gauteng had the third-lowest HIV prevalence among the provinces, with rates of 11.9% in 2022 and 12.1% in 2017.
With a 0.2% decrease from the 1 780 000 recorded in 2017, this corresponds to an expected 1 720 000 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in Gauteng in 2022.
This report follows recent findings that despite ongoing gaps in treatment and prevention, the prevalence of HIV has decreased in Limpopo.
The Gauteng survey also translates to an estimated 1 720 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Gauteng in 2022, representing an insignificant 0.2% decline from the 1 780 000 reported in 2017.
The findings also showed that, in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was disproportionately higher among those aged 25–49 years (20.0%), for females (24.9%) and males (14.1%). HIV prevalence was also higher among those residing in rural, formal, or farm areas (12.7%).
Professor Khangelani Zuma, the principal investigator of a study, reported that HIV prevalence reached its peak in 2022 at 32.2% among 50- to 54-year-olds, compared to 31.9% in 2017 among 35- to 39-year-olds.
“There was a decrease in HIV prevalence in 2022 among all age groups younger than 40 years compared to 2017. It is, however, concerning that even though the epidemic is ageing, there seems to be a possibility of new infections still happening in the older age groups,” Zuma said.
It is explained that the data presented are for five priority districts of Gauteng, namely the City of Tshwane, the City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, and West Rand, as per the study protocol. Among the five districts, the highest HIV prevalence was in Sedibeng (13.2%).
The percentage of Gauteng residents receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) rose from 56.0% in 2017 to 73.4% in 2022. The province’s anticipated 1 210 000 HIV-positive residents will receive treatment in 2022 as a result of the ART coverage.
The survey suggests South Africa should implement a long-term strategy to care for the ageing HIV epidemic, address health inequalities, and combine prevention strategies to address specific HIV prevalence and treatment rates at district levels by 2030.
Zuma recommends enhancing public awareness of effective HIV prevention measures, such as regular HIV testing, condom use, and PrEP.
He also emphasised a continued focus on increasing voluntary medical male circumcision uptake among uncircumcised males aged 15 years and older.
“We also recommend enhancing prevention efforts targeted at groups that are disproportionately affected by the drivers of HIV infection, such as women and young people,” concluded Zuma.
The HSRC conducted the survey in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the South African Medical Research Council, UCT, and the National Institute for Communicable Disease.
The Star