Report Examines Trends in HIV Prevalence in South Africa

"National HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey, South Africa, 2006," Department of Health, South Africa: This new report, based on antenatal surveys conducted in all nine provinces in South Africa, finds national HIV prevalence among pregnant women was 29.1% in 2006, down from 30.2% in 2005. The report shows statistically significant declines in HIV prevalence among those under 20 years old, 15.9% to 13.7%, as well as ages 20-24, 30.6% to 28.0%. The report found no statistically significant changes among older age groups. The decline in prevalence among those under age 20 "implies a reduction in new infections (incidence) in the population," according to the report. "For the first time, the findings of this survey show evidence of a decline in HIV prevalence in South Africa after several years of relative stability," the report notes (South African Department of Health, Summary Report).