Jan 2008

Advice: HIV and AIDS

Fighting HIV and AIDS together

Government’s Khomanani programme and other campaigns, like Lovelife and the TV drama, Soul City, are successfully helping to make people more aware of HIV and AIDS, how to prevent it and how to live with it.

This was found by a study done jointly by Health and Development Africa, the Centre for AIDS Research and Development, Soul City, and the American Johns Hopkins Health and Education company in South Africa. 

Funded

The study was funded by the National Department of Health and the United States Agency for International Development. The aim of the study was to find out whether the different Aids communication programmes were working in South Africa.

The study showed that there was an increase in the use of condoms, discussions about HIV testing between sexual partners, discussions about HIV between friends, knowledge of antiretroviral treatment for AIDS, and being faithful to partners to prevent HIV infection.

Aids programmes

It was found that the 19 AIDS programmes reached a total of 92,5 per cent of the adult population, which is about 27 million people. This means that there are some 2,2 million adults who are still not reached by the programmes.

The study also shows that television, through the TV drama Soul City, reaches the most people, followed by national radio programmes, community radio and local community events.

Some of the findings

  • Among those who have already had sex, 59 per cent have discussed HIV testing with a sexual partner, and 23 per cent have been tested within the last 12 months
  • People between the ages of 25 and 34 are twice as likely to discuss HIV testing than those in the age group of 35 to 65.
  • Young women are more likely to get tested than men.
  • Those who know someone who has died of AIDS are more likely to have been tested in the last 12 months.
  • At least 53 per cent were aware that antiretroviral medication was a treatment for AIDS and that it helps improve their health

Recommendations

The study recommended that new strategies were needed to reach the 2 million adults that are still not being reached by the Aids communication programmes.

Ndivhuwo Khangale


Orphans need your support

Government will protect these children while supervised by adults in communities.

Working group

To help government protect them, the department is getting together a national list of orphans and helpless children, including those heading families. Government also has various programmes to support such children. This includes treatment, food, skills training and psychological or social support. It also helps these children to get access to social grants, free education and health care, and urgent help in cases of child abuse and neglect.

Organisations

In 2006, a total of 206 889 helpless children were found and helped through the OVC programme. About 357 000 families benefited, and 35 000 child-headed families were supported. 

In addition, the department started multi-purpose or drop-in centres where children heading families can get meals and lunch boxes before going to school. Some 1 700 organisations are also working with orphans and helpless children through the home community-based care programmes.

- Ndivhuwo Khangale

Health
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