HIV down among pregnant women?

A national antenatal survey for 2006 has shown a decrease in the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women visiting public health facilities, national health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Monday.

"This is mainly as a result of our continued focus on prevention as the mainstay of our response to combat HIV..." said Tshabalala-Msimang in a prepared speech.

The minister opened the 2007 National Youth Health Indaba in Kimberley.

Statistically significant decline
Tshabalala-Msimang said the report indicated that the "statistically significant decline" was mainly amongst people under the age of 20 years followed by those between 20 and 24.

"The decline in the under 20 year age from 15.9 percent in 2005 to 13.7 percent in 2006 particularly implies a possible reduction in new infections (incidence) in the population," said Tshabalala-Msimang.

She thanked South Africa's youth for responding to the messages of prevention and encouraged them to continue taking care of their health.

The National Youth Health Indaba aims to get young people more involved in the development of their own lives and that of their communities. – (Sapa)

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HIV/Aids Centre
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June 2007