According to findings of the 2009 National Communication Survey on HIV/Aids, there has been an increase in the number of people who have tested for HIV in the past 12 months. However, there has been a decrease in condom use.The survey examined the effectiveness of 11 South African HIV/Aids communication programmes and the key drivers of the HIV epidemic in South Africa.Director for Health and Development Africa, Saul Johnson says the findings reveal an increase from 25% to 60% of men going for HIV testing.
Sub-Saharan Africa has been battling the HIV/Aids pandemic for over a quarter century. The pandemic has devastated the continent’s development in many ways.
South Africa currently has the worst AIDS epidemic in the world, with more than 5.6 million cases of HIV/Aids. Everyday, 1 000 South Africans die of AIDS related causes. HIV/Aids prevalence in South Africa is estimated to be between 18-24%. Of all the deaths that occur in South Africa, half are from Aids related causes.Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that only 28% of those in need of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) are actually receiving it. It says of the 5.6 million people infected with HIV in South Africa, 280 000 were children under the age of 15. Another major concern is the growing number of Aids orphans.
