tailieunhanh - Nelson Mandela HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS - Executive Summary

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is generally high, with sexual behaviour changes taking root in encouragingly low numbers of sexual partners and high levels of abstinence among the youth. There is still great uncertainty of the relationship between HIV and AIDS and popular myths. South Africans from all walks of life are at risk. In particular, wealthy Africans have the same levels of risk as poorer Africans - whereas in other race groups, poorer people are more vulnerable to infection. While the Executive Summary contains results, conclusions and recommendations, the Full Report takes a deeper look at the methodology and processes involved. | Nelson Mandela HSRC Study of HIV AIDS South African National HIV Prevalence Behavioural Risks and Mass Media Household Survey 2002 Executive Summary Principal Investigator Olive Shisana Project Director Leickness Simbayi D. Phil This report is funded by The Nelson Mandela Foundation The Nelson Mandela Children s Fund Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation The Human Sciences Research Council HSRC Published by the Human Sciences Research Council Publishers Private Bag X9182 Cape Town 8000 South Africa Human Sciences Research Council 2002 First published 2002 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic mechanical or other means including photocopying and recording or in any information storage or retrieval system without permission in writing from the publishers. ISBN 0-7969-2018-4 Produced by comPress Foreword We at the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children s Fund identified the need for a national HIV AIDS survey after realising that one of the major constraints we face in dealing with the epidemic is our lack of information in a changing environment. We have to manage the disease or the disease will manage us. The key ingredient to managing the disease successfully is current and accurate information covering the full cultural and demographic spectrum of South Africa. Consequently we joined hands with the Human Sciences Research Council to undertake the first national community-based study on behavioural and socio-cultural determinants contributing to vulnerability to HIV AIDS as well as the testing of HIV antibodies in individuals. The study also focused on the impact of the mass media on knowledge attitudes and prevention. It forms part of the Nelson Mandela Foundation s HIV AIDS strategy for care and destigmatisation. I would like to thank all the individuals who gave up their time to provide us with the necessary information as well as the