To effectively prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people in South Africa, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach that encompasses education, awareness, accessible healthcare services, and addressing socio-economic factors.
By Cawekazi Mdletshe
The 11th South African AIDS Conference took place in Durban from 20 to 23 June. This was the first conference held since the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The theme for this year was Act, Connect, and End the Epidemic.
During the opening ceremony of the Conference, amidst the joyful festivities, there were also a few moments that brought a sense of seriousness. One notable event occurred when Steve Letsike, co-chair of the South African National AIDS Council and chair of the Civil Society Forum, addressed a crowded plenary hall at the Durban International Convention Centre.
Letsike shared his experience of visiting the Hillcrest AIDS Trust Centre earlier that day, on Tuesday, June 20th. This hospice primarily serves individuals in the advanced stages of HIV, with approximately 80% of the admitted patients nearing the end of their lives.
He informed the delegates that the two youngest individuals within the group of patients were aged 14 and 25 years old. He also stressed to the delegates the importance of experiencing a strong sense of anger and outrage: “We should be concerned. We should be angry.”
Letsike warned that the country was “a ticking time bomb” without an effective “psychosocial support system extended to care and support” as part of the antiretroviral programme.
“Our people are dying. We should not allow them to die when we have a successful ARV programme. We can’t. Let’s not lose this investment where we can live longer,” Letsike told delegates.
South Africa boasts the world’s largest antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programme. According to estimates from Thembisa, which is the leading mathematical model of HIV in South Africa, it is projected that approximately 5.7 million out of the estimated 7.8 million people living with HIV in the country in 2022 are receiving ARV treatment.
After the opening ceremony, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, the Director-General of Health, spoke to spotlightnsp.co.za, an online health publication. He expressed his intention to investigate the specific situation mentioned by Letsike at the hospice.
“But in this day and age – whether you are 15 or 50 years – no one should be dying of AIDS or getting to that end stage. With ARVs, everyone should be alive. We will need to see what the circumstances around that are. Why are they at that stage? Were they put on treatment? Did they default? So, we just need to get information, but it is worrying and not acceptable,” Dr Buthelezi told spotlightnsp.co.za
HIV and youth
The conference emphasized that a major reason for the high rates of HIV/AIDS among young individuals in South Africa is the absence of comprehensive sexual education. Numerous young people do not have the means to obtain reliable information regarding HIV transmission, methods of prevention, and practising safe sex.
The lack of knowledge seems to be a contributing factor to engaging in risky sexual behaviour, such as having unprotected sex and having multiple partners.
The conference also highlighted the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, as it hinders open conversations and discourages young people from getting tested and seeking treatment. Stigma can contribute to ignorance and denial, thereby worsening the transmission of the virus.
The conference also recognized that socio-economic factors, such as poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to healthcare services, play a significant role in making young people more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. It was acknowledged that poverty can push individuals into risky situations, while gender inequality can hinder women’s ability to negotiate safe sexual practices.
In an interview with spotlightnsp.co.za, Sibongile Tshabalala, the Chair of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), emphasized the importance of empowering young individuals, especially young women, by providing them with a platform to express their concerns regarding HIV and the necessary support they require.
“What we need to do as a country now is to give young women their space. We need to give them skills, we need to allow them to take charge of their struggles,” she said. “If we are talking about young girls, aged 14 to 24, who are being infected with HIV but continue talking about them without them being here, I think we are still missing the point.”
Tackling the spread of HIV
Various strategies have been proposed to curb the proliferation of HIV/AIDS among the youth in South Africa. One such measure is the incorporation of comprehensive sexual education into the school curriculum, which would entail the dissemination of accurate information regarding HIV/AIDS, safe sexual practices, and the significance of regular testing.
It was also highlighted that it is important to address the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS by conducting awareness campaigns and community engagement programs. These initiatives can help create a supportive environment where young people feel at ease to seek information, get tested, and receive treatment.
Additionally, the conference highlighted the importance of enhancing the availability of healthcare services, such as making HIV testing, counselling, and treatment more affordable. It was emphasised that community clinics and mobile healthcare units could be employed to reach out to young individuals residing in remote or underserved regions.
Finally, the conference stressed the need for prompt action in tackling the root socio-economic causes by implementing poverty alleviation initiatives, fostering gender equality, and creating economic prospects that can effectively decrease the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS.