HSRC launches a study into HIV prevalence in South Africa
DATE: 16 February 2022
AUTHOR: SABC NEWS
The Human Sciences Research Council has launched a study into HIV prevalence in South Africa. The study known as South African HIV prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey — or SABSSM — will also gather information on antiretroviral exposure, viral load suppression, and HIV drug resistance.
The study is done every five years since it was started in 20 years ago.
The latest study has been broadened to include respondents from all nine provinces. It’s expected that 93 000 people will participate, covering 25 000 randomly chosen households. There will be approximately 20 000 respondents in KwaZulu-Natal.
Trained field workers have already started in some areas. The study is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The HSRC’s Prof Khangelani Zuma says participants will complete a questionnaire on their health behaviour. Blood samples will be collected for an HIV test. Zuma adds that research will help shape the country’s HIV policies and solutions to challenges faces by HIV positive people across the country.
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