HSRC Integrated Annual Report 2018/2019

The HAST Programme focuses on the social determinants of and social interventions required to address HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. The research strives to address these health problems at both social and population levels while looking at delivery models for biomedical interventions in order to improve implementation and effectiveness. Key Research Outcomes The South African Behaviour Sero-Surveillance and Media (SABSSM) Series The SABSSM series of surveys has provided critical information on the dynamics of the HIV epidemic in South Africa from 2002 to date. This research will contribute to the achievement of Health goal 1 of the NDP: Raise the life expectancy of South Africans to at least 70 years and ensure that the generation of under-20s is largely free of HIV by 2030. In line with this, the 2012 and 2017 surveys were expanded to include a wide range of health questions including the health of infants and their mothers, child health and emerging interventions such as male circumcision. The study was therefore able to provide a comprehensive assessment of the health, behaviour, knowledge and HIV status of the people of South Africa. This information is crucial to understanding the health status of South Africans and to guide future strategies and programmes aimed at reducing the transmission of HIV and its impact on society. The results of the study were presented on 17 July 2018 to an esteemed panel, including the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and chaired by the CEO of the HSRC, Prof. Crain Soudien. The study outcomes were also shared internationally at the International AIDS Society Conference, held in Amsterdam from the 23 to 27 July 2018. The SABSSM V satellite session, presenting the results of the fifth study, was held on 24 July 2018. South Africa was well represented at the conference with the HSRC, SANAC, the National Department of Health and The Presidency working together to represent the response to the HIV epidemic of which HSRC’s surveillance activities have played a crucial part. The final SABSSM V report is being finalised. Inaugural Transgender Women (TGW) in Southern Africa: The Botshelo Ba Trans Study Initiated and supported by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the HSRC conducted the first South African bio behavioural survey (BBS) on HIV in transgender women. This study aimed to fill a gap in South Africa’s response to HIV and AIDS, since data does not exist on how transgender women experience HIV and AIDS, from initial diagnosis to achieving viral suppression. The research was conducted in collaboration with civil society organisations (i.e. SHE, SWEAT, AC2) and conducted in Cape Town, Johannesburg and East London, South Africa. Peer-driven recruitment was used to enrol 887 participants. To date, the ‘Botshelo Ba Trans Study’ is the largest HIV prevalence study amongst transgender women conducted in Africa. More importantly, this study is significant in terms of programmatic HIV service delivery for transgender women. For the first time, HIV/AIDS, TB AND STI (HAST) PART B: PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, briefing stakeholders and the media on the outcomes of the SABSSM V study Prof. Crain Soudien chairing the high level presentation 34 / HSRC INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19