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More South Africans are taking HIV
tests, using condoms, and getting medical male circumcision to prevent HIV,
according to new research. People are taking measures to reduce their
behavioral risks as a result of information gleaned from public prevention campaigns
in South Africa, according to the third National HIV Communication Survey,
which was released during the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington.
President Jacob Zuma’s decision to
get tested for HIV in public drove many others to test, said Health Minister
Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi. Based on the survey, an estimated 63 percent of South
Africans have gotten tested, including 10.2 million in the past year as part of
the government’s testing campaign.
“We need to step up communication
[on HIV], and not just through the media,” Motsoaledi said. From district
councilors to provincial leaders, all officials have a role to play, he said.
“The other significant finding that
makes me excited is medical male circumcision,” said Motsoaledi. Over half of
South African men are circumcised, and almost 1 million are considering getting
circumcised in the next year. “Eighty-five percent of men who are circumcised
know they must use condoms, which shows that fear was misplaced,” he said of
concerns that circumcised men might stop practicing safe sex.
Campaign exposure was associated
with adapting or maintaining risk-reduction behaviors. However, fewer people in
the past three years reported campaign exposure - a worrisome finding, said
Saul Johnson, MD, of Health and Development Africa, which managed the survey.
Johns Hopkins Health and Education South Africa, loveLife, and Soul City
conducted the survey, which was funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief; 10,034 South Africans responded to the survey.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
