New HIV infections lowest in 5 years

The number of new HIV Infections in South Africa has dropped significantly in the past five years, in 2012 the number was close to 400 000 people were infected with HIV.

Latest research now shows that last year, the figure had dropped to 230 000 people a 44% fall, revealed at the launch of the SA National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey.

This is the fifth survey conducted in the country since 2002.

KwaZulu-Natal still has the highest number of people living with HIV followed by Mpumalanga and the Free State.

The survey reveals that while there’s a drop in the number of new HIV infections compared to 2012, more people are living with HIV.

There’s still a high HIV prevalence among young females compared to their male peers. There are extremely low levels of consistent condom use among sexually active people and many of those interviewed have reported having their first sexual experience before the age of 15.

The survey also found that there has been an increase in the number of men who have been medically circumcised.

The results have largely been welcomed by government and funders.

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