The study showed that HIV prevalence in children aged between two and 14 had declined from 5.6% in 2002 to 2.5% in 2008, said Human Sciences Research Council chief executive officer Dr Olive Shisana.
"The good news is that the change in HIV prevalence is most likely attributable to the successful implementation of several HIV interventions," she said.The findings of the third, national HIV prevalence, incidence and communication survey, conducted in 2008, were a sign of light at the end of the tunnel, said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
The survey was conducted by the HSRC, the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Centre for Aids Development, Research and Evaluation, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
Its results, released on Tuesday, showed that HIV intervention programmes were beginning to pay handsome dividends, said Shisana.
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Shisana said the study showed an increase in condom use among young males aged between 15 and 24, from 57% in 2002 to 87% in 2008. In females of the same age, there was also an increase, from 46% to 73%."The finding shows that although they are running around, they do use condoms to protect themselves from contracting HIV," she said.
Condom use also grew among people aged between 25 and 49.
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He said it was unfortunate that too much time had been spent fighting each other instead of fighting the HIV pandemic in South Africa.
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-06-09-report-shows-decline-in-child-teenage-hiv
