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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
On-line version ISSN 2078-5135
Print version ISSN 0256-9574
Abstract
SHISANA, O et al. The case for expanding the definition of 'key populations' to include high-risk groups in the general population to improve targeted HIV prevention efforts. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2015, vol.105, n.8, pp.664-669. ISSN 2078-5135. http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJNEW.7918.
BACKGROUND: Two additional key populations within the general population in South Africa (SA) that are at risk of HIV infection are black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the social determinants of HIV serostatus for these two high-risk populations. METHODS: Data from the 2012 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey were analysed for black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years. RESULTS: Of the 6.4 million people living with HIV in SA in 2012, 1.8 million (28%) were black women aged 20 - 34 years and 1.9 million (30%) black men aged 25 - 49 years. In 2012, they constituted 58% of the total HIV-positive population and 48% of the newly infected population. Low socioeconomic status (SES) was strongly associated (p<0.001) with being HIV-positive among black women aged 20 - 34 years, and was marginally significant among black men aged 25 - 49 years (p<0.1). CONCLUSION: Low SES is a critical social determinant for HIV infection among the high-risk groups of black African women aged 20 -34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years. Targeted interventions for these key populations should prioritise socioeconomic empowerment, access to formal housing and services, access to higher education, and broad economic transformation.