Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - February 5, 2003
This was according to Dr Olive Shisana, the executive director of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) during a live video link-up between her Pretoria offices and Parliament.
Statistics South Africa also gave a presentation, with both reports focusing on the latest HIV studies performed by the two organisations late last year.
According to Dr Heston Phillips of Stats SA, their report showed that HIV deaths accounted for seven percent of deaths between 1997 and 2001.
When MPs questioned the accuracy of some of the statistics, Phillips admitted that the "HIV figures might be higher than is reflected".
The report indicated that during the period 1997 to 2001 tuberculosis (TB) and HIV were ranked as numbers one and two respectively for leading underlying causes of deaths for both males and females.
This was in contrast to their being ranked third and fourth respectively in 1997.
The report showed that black women were most likely to die from HIV/Aids, with their mortality rate almost ten times higher than that of their white and Indian counterparts.
MPs then listened to Dr Shisana, who presented the Nelson Mandela/HSRC Study on HIV/Aids.
This report showed that national HIV prevalence was about 4.5 million people, with the Eastern Cape having the lowest HIV prevalence in the country.
The report showed that condom use had increased dramatically, with 90 percent of youth and adults reporting easy access to condoms.
Shisana said one of the serious findings was the fact that 76 percent of HIV-positive South Africans were not aware of their status.
"But even more serious is that 63 percent of those who were not aware of their HIV-positive status did not perceive themselves to be at risk".
The report indicated that public perceptions of government were fairly positive, with the majority of South Africans recognising the work government leaders did and not believing they were in denial. However, people felt that government was not allocating sufficient resources to fight the pandemic.
Shisana said that it was important that "research led to policy changes" and hoped that all suggestions would be used in the fight against HIV, something which the acting chair of the committee meeting, Mampe Ramotsamai agreed to./rjt
030205
SA030202
Copyright © 2003 - South African Press Association. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the South African Press Association, Cotswold House, Greenacres Office Park, Cnr. Victory & Rustenburg Roads, VICTORY PARK, PO BOX 7766, JOHANNESBURG, 2000; Fax No: +27 11 782-1587/8, Tel No: +27 11 782-1600.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .