HIV Infection Among Teens Declining
BuaNews (Pretoria)
NEWS
September 23, 2004
Posted to the web September 24, 2004
By Candace Freeman
Pretoria
HIV and AIDS prevalence rates among South African teenagers have been declining constantly, although general infection rates remain critical.
This was shown in the results of the 14th National HIV and Syphilis Sero-Prevelance Survey of women attending Public Antenatal Clinics for 2003 conducted by the Department of Health.
"There has been a constant decline in prevalence among teenagers since 1999. Other age groups have shown increases in prevalence, with the 25 to 29 year age group consistently recording higher rates," explained the report.
An estimated 35, 4 percent HIV prevalence was found among the 25 to 29 year olds attending antenatal clinics last year, compared to 31, 4 percent in 2001.
A figure of 15, 8 percent was recorded for teenagers up to 20 years.
Based on results of the antenatal survey, 5, 6 million South Africans were estimated to be HIV positive by the end of 2003. This is a rise of 300 000 from estimates in 2002.
Article from: allAfrica.com