HIV/AIDS in South Africa

[2] According to a UNAIDS dataset sourced from the World Bank, in 2019 the HIV prevalence rate for adults aged 15 to 49 was 27% in Eswatini (Swaziland), 25% in Lesotho, 25% in Botswana and 19% in South Africa.

[6] The World Bank and United Nations source their data on HIV prevalence from Statistics South Africa.

According to Statistics South Africa's[7] mid-year population estimates for 2018,[8] the total HIV prevalence rate for the country is 13.1%.

[9] False traditional beliefs about HIV/AIDS, which contribute to the spread of the disease, persist in townships due to the lack of education and awareness programmes in these regions.

[12] One 2006 study also noted that alcohol and increased HIV risk are linked to gender-based violence in two specific ways - one being that the consumption of alcohol might lead to increased sexual violence against women refusing sex, and that women may be abused for disclosing their positive status to their partner.

[13] In adult and adolescent women, low relationship power and victimization by intimate partner violence were found to be linked to HIV risk.

In the five other provinces (Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West) at least 26% of women attending antenatal clinics in 2006 tested HIV-positive.

[16] As of 2019, HIV/AIDS prevalence among South African adults ages 15 to 49 by province are:[18] The four main HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in South Africa are Khomanani (funded by the government), LoveLife (primarily privately funded), Soul City (a television drama for adults) and Soul Buddyz (a television series for teenagers).

Some of the contraceptive devices given away at the ANC's centenary celebrations in 2012 failed a water test conducted by the Treatment Action Campaign.

[22] In line with United Nations requirements, South Africa has also drawn up an "HIV & AIDS and STI Strategic Plan".

[citation needed] In August 1995, the Department of Health awarded a R14.27-million contract to produce a sequel to the musical, Sarafina!, about AIDS, in order to reach young people.

[26] From 6 to 10 March 1995, the 7th International Conference for People Living with HIV and AIDS was held in Cape Town, South Africa.

[29] On 5 July 1996,[30] South Africa's Health Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, spoke at the 11th International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver.

She said: Most people infected with HIV live in Africa, where therapies involving combinations of expensive [anti-retroviral] drugs are out of the question.

[31]In February 1997, South African government's Health Department defended its support for the controversial AIDS drug Virodene by stating that "the 'cocktails' that are available [for the treatment of HIV/AIDS] are way beyond the means of most patients [even from developed countries]".

[citation needed] In 2000, the Department of Health outlined a five-year plan to combat AIDS, HIV and STIs.

The South African government successfully defended against a legal action brought by transnational pharmaceutical companies in April 2001 of a law that would allow cheaper locally produced medicines, including anti-retrovirals, although the government's roll-out of anti-retrovirals remained generally slow.

Using USAID's PEPFAR funding, the organisation expanded rapidly and after ten years (2011) had over 125,000 HIV-positive patients in clinical care.

In 2007, Anand Reddi and colleagues at the PEPFAR funded Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS clinic at McCord Zulu Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa published the first report demonstrating paediatric antiretroviral therapy can be effective despite the challenges of a resource-limited setting.

[41] These numbers are confirmed in a 2008 study by the Human Sciences Research Council that found a 13.6% infection rate among Africans, 1.7% among Coloureds, 0.3% among Indians, and 0.3% among Whites.

[48]In 2001 the government appointed a panel of scientists, including a number of AIDS denialists, to report back on the issue.

Prior to 2003, South Africans with HIV who used the public sector health system could get treatment for opportunistic infections but could not get anti-retrovirals.

The then health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, advocated a diet of garlic, olive oil and lemon to cure the disease.

[55][56] There are numerous examples of journalists taking the government to task for policy positions and public statements that were seen as irresponsible.

[59] It could be claimed that the news media have taken a less aggressive stance since the end of Mbeki's presidency and the death of Tshabalala Msimang.

The emergence of Jacob Zuma as party and state leader heralded what the press saw as a new era of AIDS treatment.