MBOMBELA – Research continues to prove that the high rate of HIV/Aids infections occurs in older men and younger girls. This is according to the premier Mr David Mabuza who was speaking during the fourth sitting of the Mpumalanga Aids council last week.
According to Mabuza, HIV prevalence in the province among women aged 15 to 49 has increased from 34,6 per cent in 2007 to 35,1 per cent in 2010, which is higher than the national prevalence of 25,5 per cent. Mpumalanga also remains the province with the second highest HIV prevalence in the country.
“Researchers tell us that there is a direct correlation between poverty and HIV/Aids. We agree with these findings, hence our government is doing its utmost to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality,” Mabuza said.
“The high rate of unemployment in some of the districts and sub-districts, is seen as some of the major causes of this disease as some girls are being urged to have babies at an early age to access the social grants.”
Mabuza said transactional sex is rampant in trucking hubs and stops linked to road freight, with girls as young as 12 engaging in sex for money.
“We need to increase HIV awareness throughout all sectors particularly among high-risk populations such as the youth and farm workers. A multi-sectorial approach to reduce its spread is needed. Empowering and mobilising young women in the fight against HIV/Aids will contribute to reducing this scourge.”
He pointed out that antenatal HIV prevalence has significantly declined in Gert Sibande District, from 46,1 per cent in 2011 to 40,5 per cent in 2012 while in Nkangala the prevalence has increased from 29,6 per cent to 32,1 per cent over the same period.
The premier says while the number of new infections and deaths are decreasing, there is a possibility that the disease returns if efforts to remind citizens of the dangers are not continued.
He urged citizens to be tested at least once a year, practise living a sexually safe lifestyle, take treatment when diagnosed HIV positive, and get circumcised since it reduces the likelihood of contracting the virus.
