The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for Limpopo, indicating a decline in HIV prevalence.
According to the report, Limpopo's HIV prevalence decreased from 10.1% in 2017 to 8.9% in 2022, with an estimated 570,000 people living with the virus, a 2.0% decrease from the previous year.
The results also revealed that in 2022, the province's HIV prevalence was disproportionately higher in the 25–49 age group, with 17.0% for men and 22.3% for women in this age group.
A significant 7.4% of rural, formal, or farm-rural residents were found to have HIV, with women showing a higher incidence compared to men across all demographics.
The study by Professor Khangelani Zuma of the HSRC shows that the HIV epidemic reached its peak in 2022, with a prevalence of 29.4% among individuals aged 50–54, down from a peak of 36.9% in 2017 among those aged 40–44 years.
“There was a decrease in HIV prevalence in 2022, except among those aged 0–14 years, 35–39 years, and 50–54 years, compared to 2017,” said Zuma.
As per the study protocol, the data are for three districts in Limpopo: Vhembe, Capricorn, and Mopani.
The Waterberg and Greater Sekhukhune districts’ data are not shown because it is reported that oversampling is required to produce representative and trustworthy estimates, and it was not done in these districts. Mopani had the highest HIV prevalence among the three districts at 9.0%.
The estimated coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Limpopo is projected to rise from 62.8% in 2017 to 80.8% in 2022, nearly matching national forecasts.
This means that, in 2022, 430 000 HIV-positive individuals in the province are expected to receive treatment, up from 290 000 in 2017.
ART use among all people living with HIV in the province was 80.8%, with males (73.1%) having lower coverage than females (84.0%). Additionally, ART coverage was lower among those residing in urban areas (79.7%) than in other localities. The lowest ART use was reported in Vhembe (76.4%), followed by Capricorn (80.8%).
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’s key objectives included estimating HIV prevalence and incidence, viral load suppression, and exposure to HIV-related services among adults and children.
It is reported that South Africa’s HIV epidemic needs targeted interventions by 2030, especially for adolescent girls and young women, who require intensified prevention efforts.
Zuma suggests that for effective programme planning and execution in the province, it is imperative to address health inequities and focus on particular districts and municipalities with greater HIV prevalence, poorer coverage of ART adoption, and low viral suppression.
“We also recommend that HIV prevention and management targeted interventions, which foster a sustained reduction in HIV prevalence over time, should be continuously strengthened,” said Zuma.
The HSRC conducted the survey in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the South African Medical Research Council, UCT, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
The Star