3. Public health and human rights issues
Deaths due to AIDS
240,000 [220,000 ‐ 270,000]
Orphans due to AIDS aged 0 to 17
2,500,000 [2,300,000 ‐ 2,700,000]
HIV prevalence rate has stabilised over the past six years, according to the
government's latest survey of pregnant women, while the rate of new infections has
continued to drop, indicating that the country's prevention efforts are beginning to
take effect
national HIV testing campaign reveal that men made up only 30% of the nearly 13
million people who got tested. Men also access HIV treatment later than women
and often eventually access services with severely compromised immune systems.
In South Africa, about 55% of those living with HIV are women but more than two‐
thirds of patients receiving public sector ART are female. Once on treatment men
are more likely than women to interrupt treatment; to be lost to follow‐up; and to
die while on treatment. When men do access clinic and hospital services, it is often
with advanced AIDS related illnesses and very low CD4 counts. This makes it difficult
and expensive to treat them—and people who start treatment with low CD4 counts
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7. interventions for those testing negative. Data from the 2010‐2011 national HCT
campaign indicates that men represented only 30% of those who tested. Efforts
must be made to increase men’s health‐seeking behaviour, including participation in
HCT… Loss to follow‐up of people living with HIV with high CD4 counts and not in
immediate need of ART is high. This results in many patients returning late to care,
when they are ill and past the point when they should have started ART for maximum
benefit. This is especially true of men who under‐utilise health services.”
“Gender Roles and Norms – Challenge the gender roles, norms and inequalities that
increase women’s vulnerability to HIV and compromise men’s and women’s health;
address the position of women in society, particularly their economic standing; and
engage with men on changing socialisation practices."
We are even more glad that language which outlines concrete solutions was included
such as:
“Strategies should address male gender norms that equate alcohol use with
masculinity.”
“Education for learners and parents on gender norms and transformation.”
“A comprehensive national social and behavioural change communication (SBCC)
strategy must serve to increase demand and uptake of services, to promote positive
norms and behaviours and to challenge those that place people at risk (including
norms that discourage men from accessing HIV, STI and TB services, contribute to
violence against women, multiple partnerships and those that encourage alcohol
consumption).”
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