The AIDS threat in South Africa. What lies ahead?

Abstract

As of July 1994, there were 565,856 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons in South Africa, half of whom were 18-25 years of age, and 27% of the adult population is likely to be infected by the year 2010 if current risk behaviors persist. By 2005, the cost of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to South Africa's health service could reach R18 billion. The newly established National AIDS Task Force seeks to prevent further HIV transmission by promoting condom use, improving control of sexually transmitted diseases, providing a safe blood supply, adopting universal precautions for skin piercing and surgical procedures, preventing intravenous drug use, providing information about prenatal transmission, promoting policies that raise women's status, and socioeconomic development. The personal and social impact of HIV infection will be ameliorated through comprehensive health care and counseling for AIDS victims and their families, protection of infected individuals from discriminatory practices, sustainable social services and benefits to meet the needs of those with AIDS, and promotion of policies that address the socioeconomic consequences of AIDS. On the administrative level, interventions are planned to promote intersectoral coordination, ensure adequate financing, promote community involvement, decentralize planning and management, ensure program monitoring and evaluation, forecast HIV trends, and share technical expertise.