COMMUNITIES in KwaZulu-Natal have managed to reduce the prevalence of HIV through sound prevention efforts, director of health says.

Sibongile Zungu was speaking at the Durban Christian Centre's Hope Centre Clinic during a function to celebrate the centre's achievements in the fight against the disease.

The centre yesterday received a R2million cheque from Standard Bank in support of the fight against HIV and Aids.

So far the bank has paid out more than R4million over the past three years in support of the fight against HIV and Aids at the centre.

The centre focuses primarily on peer education training and the development of the HIV-Aids enhancement management programme.

"The high rates of transmission of HIV result largely from the failure to use the available prevention strategies and tools and poor coverage of HIV prevention programmes," Zungu said.

She said HIV prevention services were only reaching a small fraction of people in need, while coverage for key populations at higher risk of exposure to HIV is considerably lower.

First lady May Mashego-Mkhize, a medical doctor, said it was important to renew efforts in the fight against HIV and Aids.