Society for Family Health sees rise in demand for HIV services, products

SFH runs the New Start HIV Counselling and Testing programme and markets the widely popular Lovers Plus and Trust condoms, in addition to distributing Choice condoms on behalf of the South African government.

The organisation also runs the YouthAIDS behaviour change communications programme targeting the youth in all of the country's provinces.

"There has definitely been a rising interest in our products and services and I would say that is largely due to the government of South Africa's growing emphasis on raising awareness on HIV prevention and treatment and the steps taken to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS in recent years," SFH Health Services director Miriam Mhazo said.

SFH distributed 207.2 million condoms in 2010, up from 125.8 million in 2009. 238,041 people received HIV Counselling and Testing Services at New Start sites around the country in 2010 compared with 199 685 in 2009, while behaviour change communication messages reached close to 1.3 million youth through various mediums including radio, mobile promotions and interpersonal communications, up from 510 740 in the year before.

Partnerships

SFH product marketing director Dave Nowitz said SFH had also benefited from its partnerships with the government, private sector and other NGOs. SFH has forged successful partnerships with Levi's South Africa, YFM radio and Caxton Publishers, among others.

In March of 2010, New Start teamed up with Standard Bank in a nationwide initiative providing HIV counselling and testing for Standard Bank employees and the general public. Through this partnership, more than 9000 people were tested for HIV.

"I would definitely say that our partnerships are one of the main keys to our success. Without the organisations that we work with, we would not be able to serve as many people as we do, so strengthening those partnerships will be a major focus area for us going forward," Mhazo said.

Notes

• Society for Family Health is one of South Africa's leading HIV prevention organizations that provides HIV prevention products, services and information to those South Africans who need them most.
  
• SFH markets attractively-packaged, high-quality male condoms at subsidised prices that low-income populations can afford.
  
• The organisation is the largest NGO distributor of the Government of South Africa's Choice condoms, ensuring that condoms are available in non-traditional outlets like shebeens and spaza shops.