challenging the global aids crisis

South Africa HIV/AIDS Statistics

South Africa’s HIV and AIDS Care & Treatment Plan Press Packet:

  • South Africa is the nation hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic, with approximately 5.3 million of its 45 million people infected by HIV. [1]
  • In South Africa, within the age group 25-29 years, an estimated 34.5% of women are HIV positive; women between the ages of 20-24 and 30-34 have infection rates just over 29%. [2]
  • In South Africa, an estimated 26.5% of pregnant women were HIV positive in 2002. An estimated 91,271 infants were born with HIV infection in 2002. [3]
  • The national mortality rates for South African men between the ages of 20 and 40 have increased by more than 150% since 1998, and the mortality rates for women between 20-35 have risen even more. Approximately 600 South Africans die each day of AIDS-related complications. [4]
  • Approximately 25% of South Africa 's economically-active individuals are HIV positive. [5]
  • The overall impact of HIV and AIDS on the health infrastructure and access to care has been significant. The percentage of hospital beds occupied due to AIDS ranges from 26% to 70% among adults in some areas, and from 26% to 30% for children. [6]
  • Antiretrovirals (ARVs) to treat the most seriously HIV-compromised individuals could save between 500,000 to 1.7 million lives over a 5-year period, according to a recent government report. [7]
  • Almost 25% of all South African children under age 15 had lost at least one parent to AIDS. [8]

1. South African Joint Health and Treasury Task Team Report, 2003.
2. National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-Prevalence Survey in South Africa, 2002.
3. Ibid.
4. South African Conference on AIDS, Aug. 2003. Univ. of Natal , Quarraisha A. Karim, et al.
5. Kaiser Family Foundation Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6 October 2003.
6. UNAIDS, Sub-Saharan African Fact Sheet, 2003
7. South African Joint Health and Treasury Task Team Report, 2003
8. Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, 2002. Hitting Home; How Households Cope With the Impact of HIV/AIDS Epidemic, A Survey of Households Affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Media Contact: Redge Norton, Media Relations Manager, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, 415/487-3071 or 415/987-4043; Sarah M. McAuley, 415/434-3200 ext. 16
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