Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Daily Mail and Guardian (Johannesburg) - September 1, 2000
Pregnant mothers in Guguletu, Langa, Bonteheuwel, Paarl, Worcester and George will receive anti-retroviral drugs beginning next year. However, the R6-million programme fails to include the largest township in the Western Cape, Mitchells Plain, which has nearly a million residents.
A study carried out at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital found that only 12 babies out of 100 born to mothers who were given Nevirapine became infected with the virus, as opposed to the usual 30.
Someone to talk to: The telephone advisory and counselling service National Aids Helpline had a 48% increase in genuine calls in 1999 over the previous year. Started in 1992, the help line is managed by Life Line Southern Africa for the Department of Health.
Ten trained counsellors provide a 24-hour service. Counsellors attribute the increase in calls to raised awareness of the helpline, easier access through additional telephones, and the availability of multilingual counsellors.
In 1999 about 30% of calls were made by people in need of counselling or suffering a crisis relating to HIV. About 70% of calls are for information - most common questions relate to transmission of the virus, symptoms, condoms, testing and treatment/care.
Calls related to treatment and care have increased significantly over the past year. Aids Helpline: 0800-012-322
Total number of genuine calls to Aids Helpline in 1999: 146 406 Proportion of men calling the Aids Helpline: 65% Proportion of callers between 15 and 29 years of age: 85% Sources: www.redribbon.co.
Aids Helpline, Western Cape provincial government, Treatment Action Campaign
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