Let's work together to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS

Kone Gugushe

The overall numbers of new infections have increased, particularly the number of new infections among adults over the age of 50, however, this is encouragingly countered by a declining trend in the infection rates amongst the youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

The prevalence amongst youth went down from 10.3% in 2005 to 8.7% in 2008 and down to 7.3% in 2012. This is possibly due to the success of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in high schools, tertiary institutions and other youth awareness programmes.

But it seems that the message is not filtering as effectively to the adult population, as according to the HSRC, knowledge about HIV/AIDS is lowest among the over 50 age group and less than two thirds of this group know the truth about the virus.

Although new infections still remain high among adults, it is heartening to see that the number of people on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) has significantly improved. According to the UNAIDS, in 2004, only 4% of people in South Africa with advanced HIV/AIDS were on treatment. In 2005 the number increased to 15%, and in 2006 to 21%. By 2007, 28% of people were on ART. The HSRC shows that by 2012, over 2 million of the country's HIV/AIDS patients were receiving treatment.

As we mourn the passing of Tata Mandela, let's not forget the legacy he left behind, as he was a great champion of change. HIV/Aids remains a fight for us all and the fact that 34 million people in the world are living with HIV and that South Africa ranks highest in the world with the number of people infected with HIV, is a very concerning reality that cannot be ignored.

No matter, which side you look at this epidemic, it is an urgent issue and needs to be treated as such. As South Africans, we all have a role to play in living right within our families and our communities, and to find ways that will contribute to stopping the spread of HIV for good:

• There is an important and urgent need to educate the adult population through interventions and programmes that will provide knowledge, information and resources about the virus to more adults with limited access to such. These awareness and education programmes should focus on holistic HIV/AIDS interventions, comprising medical awareness, scientific knowledge, general health and well-being, stigma and stereotyping and other social factors.

• For the youth, we need a more integrated approach encompassing all sexually active age groups to bridge the knowledge gap on HIV. In 2011, Nedbank together with the Regency Foundation Networx launched an HIV/AIDS educational programme called 'HIV&ME', designed for school learners and teachers in the North West and Limpopo provinces. The programme is aimed at preventing and managing HIV/AIDS through empowering both educators and learners with scientific knowledge, to enable them to make more informed choices about their health and sexual behaviour.

• There should be more collaboration between the private and public sector which is aimed at significantly bringing down the number of new infections, to create healthier and more economically vibrant communities. This will ensure a healthier workforce, and a more sustainable contribution towards the country's GDP growth. Nedbank has contributed significantly towards HIV/AIDS intervention programmes including educational programmes, counselling and treatment, the construction of home based care centres for the destitute and patients in communities across the country, and the training of health care workers.

Lastly, let us go back to the basics by following the ABCs: Abstain, Be faithful and Condomise. For those that are married or in committed relationships, be faithful to your partner at all times. For those who are unmarried or not in committed relationships, preferably abstain, but if you cannot abstain, Condomise.

Regardless of the relationship status you are in, we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and our partners at all times. If we are to turn the tide against the prevalence of this virus, we need to stop new infections, and ensure that those who are already living with it have access to ARTs, and adopt lifestyles that will lengthen their economically productive lifespan.