AEGiS-SAPA: 'Suspicious' Aids figures not validated

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

'Suspicious' Aids figures not validated

South African Press Association - May 6, 2008

The Development Bank of SA (DBSA)'s Aids statistics -- published on May 4 in the Sunday Independent -- had not yet been validated, the bank said on Tuesday. "The DBSA would like to clarify that the statistics referred to were working data that have not yet been validated as per normal practice or put through stakeholder consultations," the DBSA said in a statement. This explained why the data had not been published or reported by the bank, as was normally done when it released its various research results. The DBSA said that the information was published "without the bank's knowledge or its explicit and formal authority".

The Sunday Independent reported that according to a DBSA study, more than 7,6-million South Africans were HIV-positive compared to the Department of Health's figure, which stood at 2,2-million. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) said the report was "extremely suspicious". Spokesperson Nathan Geffen said the statistics appeared to have been plagiarised from an out-of-date source. "We examined the statistics sent by the DBSA and they are extremely suspicious and couldn't be characterised as having been collected at grassroots level," he said.

The Aids Law Project said the DBSA should be cautious about releasing sensitive information into the public domain. TAC executive director Mark Heyward said it was important that the public had faith in the HIV information it received. "If the organisation underestimates or overestimates the prevalence of HIV/Aids, people will question the legitimacy and this will be problematic," Heyward said. Heyward said the most reliable HIV/Aids statistical information came from the Department of Health as well as Statistics South Africa.

080506
SA080502

Copyright © 2008 - 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 2008. 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, 2008. 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. .