GUEST:   Mr Adlai Davids - Senior Research Manager in the Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) [ HE IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS OF THE STUDY]

 The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) at a satellite session held at the 2024 International AIDS Conference last night.

The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African national HIV and AIDS, STI and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting.

The survey found that HIV prevalence for all ages has decreased, however, the data shows that females continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV.

In terms of treatment, South Africa recorded an increase in antiretroviral treatment coverage and this translates to an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV receiving ART, and a greater proportion of those is females.