DURBAN - The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has launched the sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM) to gather information about the trends in HIV prevalence in KwaZulu-Natal.
It was launched in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa, the KZN Department of Health and the US Consulate General.
Experts in the field of HIV/Aids studies pledged their support for it and said it would make the fight against the epidemic more effective.
Professor Khangelani Zuma, the study’s principal investigator, said the aim of the survey was to help scientists understand factors driving the HIV epidemic and its dynamics, in order to formulate policies and strategies to tackle the disease.
Zuma said the study would take place across nine provinces, targeting 93 000 participants from about 25 000 households.
“In KwaZulu-Natal we will be approaching around 20 000 participants to take part in the survey. Field workers have already started working in communities and will continue throughout 2022. Blood samples will be collected for HIV testing and a questionnaire will be completed.”
The success of the survey depends on people across the country opening their doors and allowing field workers into their homes to complete the survey, said Zuma.
He added: “Where there is clear consent, we ought to have additional blood samples to investigate any co-infection between the novel coronavirus and the well-studied HIV epidemic.”
Zuma said there had not been any studies on this and it would require the trust of the public.
Dr Thembisile Xulu of the SA National Aids Council (Sanac), said the study would help to identify the hotspots that needed intervention.
Xulu said this study was arguably the most important health survey done in the country.
“It will give us an up-to-date picture of HIV prevalence and incidence. Plus, it helps us identify hotspot areas, so that the Department of Health and Department of Social Development can develop highly targeted interventions to address the spread of HIV and provide treatment to those who need it most,” said Xulu.
The US consul-general in Durban, Anne Linnee, said the survey would bring KZN closer to the completion of the 90-90-90 threshold set by the UN. Linnee said the eThekwini district was one of the remaining places that need to catch up to the UN Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids), where districts have to target 90% of people who know their status, 90% on treatment and 90% who are virally suppressed.
“This scale of the survey will not only make sure that happens, but will also be solution driven,” said Linnee.
Daily News