FULL DETAILS: Key HIV survey findings for Limpopo released

The Human Sciences Research Council [HSRC] has released key findings of the Sixth South African National HIV, Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for Limpopo.

The comprehensive provincial results announcement took place at the Meropa Hotel in Polokwane on Tuesday. The findings highlighted key areas of progress in Limpopo. Providing a deeper understanding of HIV prevalence and the factors driving the HIV epidemic.

ALSO READ:

The Limpopo report highlights, among other things, significant progress in reducing HIV prevalence. Increasing antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage and viral load suppression (VLS).

The report further presents strategic information crucial for government officials, policymakers, researchers, programme implementers, and other stakeholders.

LIMPOPO SEES A DECLINE IN HIV PREVALENCE AS KEY FINDINGS AE RELEASED

The survey found that Limpopo had one of the lowest HIV prevalence levels among all provinces in 2022. The province was at 8.9%, down from 10.1% in 2017. This translates to an estimated 570,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV). A 2.0% decrease from the 580,000 reported in 2017.

The findings also showed that in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was disproportionately higher among the 25–49 age group. Females recording a prevalence of 22.3% and males 17.0%.

The data reveals that 88.6% of people living with HIV in Limpopo, aged 15 years and older, were aware of their HIV status. Of those, 90.5% were on ART, and 90.9% of those on ART were virally suppressed.

KEY DRIVERS OF THE HIV EPIDEMIC

Sexual debut before the age of 15 years
-The proportion of adolescents and youth aged 15–24 years who reported having sex before the age of 15 years decreased to 8.7% in 2022 from 13.5% in 2017.

-Multiple Partners
The survey revealed that in Limpopo, 11.4% of people aged 15 years and older reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022, a decrease from 12.0% in 2017.

Urban and rural informal or tribal areas had similar proportions, at 12.0%, the highest across localities. Vhembe district had the highest proportion of people reporting multiple sexual partnerships at 14.4%. Nationally, 8.9% of people reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022, a decline from 10.8% in 2017.

-Condom usage
Regarding condom use, the survey found that in Limpopo, 29.8% of people reported using a condom with their most recent sexual partner in 2022, a decline of 11.8% from 41.6% in 2017. Condom use was lower among certain groups, including those aged 25–49 years (28.7%) and females (25.4%). Condom use varied by district, ranging from 28.3% in Mopani to 35.5% in Vhembe among people aged 15 years and older