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HEALTHY AND FULL OF LIFE: Two HIV-positive mothers who used antiretroviral drugs during their pregnancies had their babies tested and the results came back negative.

"We're still far from winning the war, but we are getting somewhere," Motsoaledi said, releasing the National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey, which was made public eight months later than expected.

Motsoaledi said there was a high degree of stabilisation in the percentage increase of pregnant women between ages 16 to 24 who were infected but that there had been an upward spike between the ages of 24 and 39.

He applauded prevention methods addressing the younger ages as reasons why the numbers had stayed within the "confidence interval".

In the last five years, the department had set a target of prevalence estimates between 29.4% and 30.9%.

He attributed the high HIV prevalence in the older category to a lack of ARVs and counselling.

"We must accept the number of people on ARVs as we need to ... decrease infections," he said.

According to the survey, KwaZulu-Natal still had the highest prevalence of HIV-infected pregnant women, while Northern Cape and Western Cape were the lowest.

While the figures were still within the government's parameters, Motsoaledi said it would still continue to increase its ARV rollout and HIV-Aids prevention strategies.

"We believe our prevention methods might be reaching stability. With the younger ones, the prevention methods may be working," saidMotsoaledi.

The department was obliged to release a report of nationwide on HIV prevalence rates every year.

So far, the annual release of the report had been late every year, Democratic Alliance spokesman Mike Waters said in a statement onMonday.

The party had intended submitting an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act if the report was not released within 10 days.

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Wed Jun 19 15:07:40 SAST 2013 ::

Nov 30, 2011

Mavavazela

The fact that the infection rate is increasingt means that we are not winning the battle.The number of teenage mothers (under 14) is ever increasing daily, this is really worrying. Orphaned kids are all over the place, poverty, crime - all effects of this. I wish and pray for a miracle soon.


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Nov 30, 2011

simami

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Nov 30, 2011
Mavavazela the other problem other woman are not doing hiv test in time. so when their pregnant they forced to do it,thus way the rate are increase.tanager are looking for grant ,they don't mind about their future
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Nov 30, 2011

HoiHoi

Banyana ba e ke the ke ya baitsi.
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Nov 30, 2011

simami

so help them if you can. this is our country guys. lets work to gether to help them
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