HIV Infection Down By 39% In South Africa.
The research by the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) indicates that the country has made significant progress in the fight against
HIV/Aids.
According to the research by IRR, the HIV infections in the country have decreased by 39% between 2009 and 2016.
The IRR says although South Africa is making significant progress in the fight against the pandemic – more intensified campaigns to sustain the success are needed.
Read Also: 10 Shocking Facts About HIV/AIDS In Africa
HIV/AIDS In South Africa: KEY POINTS:
• South Africa has the biggest HIV epidemic in the world, with 7.1 million people living with HIV. HIV prevalence is high among the general population at 18.9%.
• Men who have sex with men, transgender women, sex workers and people who inject drugs experience even higher HIV prevalence rates.
• South Africa has made huge improvements in getting people to test for HIV in recent years and is now almost meeting the first of the 90-90-90 targets, with 86% of people aware of their status.
• The country has the largest ART (Anti-retroviral Treatment) programme in the world, which has undergone even more expansion in recent years with the implementation of ‘test and treat’ guidelines.
• South Africa was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to fully approve PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) which is now being made available to people at high risk of infection.
