95-95-95 HIV indicators among children younger than 15 years in South Africa: results from the 2017 national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour, and communication survey.

Background: Early detection and initiation of care is crucial to the survival and long-term well-being of children living with HIV (CLHIV). However, there remain challenges regarding early testing and linking of CLHIV for early treatment. This study examines the progress made towards achieving the 95-95-95 HIV indicators and associated factors among CLHIV < 15 years in South Africa.

Determinants of psychological distress among individuals who are aware of their HIV serostatus in South Africa: findings from the 2017 national HIV prevalence, incidence, behavior, and communication survey.

Introduction: Psychological distress is a growing public health challenge among people living with HIV. This study investigated the prevalence of psychological distress among individuals who know their HIV positive or negative serostatus in South Africa using 2017 data from a nationwide cross-sectional household-based population survey.

Methods: The data for this secondary analysis was collected using a multi-stage stratified cluster randomized sampling design.

The rationale for South Africa to prioritise mental health care as a critical aspect of overall health care.

Background: The publication of South Africa's National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023-2030 and the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) make it timely to review that state of mental health services in the country, and to emphasize the importance of prioritising mental health as a pivotal component of holistic healthcare.

Method: We searched the published literature on mental health using Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Bing Chat, focusing on these words: epidemiology of mental health disorders, depression and anxiety disorders, mental health services, mental health facilities, human resources, financing and impact of COVID-19 on mental health in South Africa and beyond. We also searched the grey literature on mental health policy that is publicly available on Google.

Is There Risk Compensation among HIV Infected Youth and Adults 15 Years and Older on Antiretroviral Treatment in South Africa? Findings from the 2017 National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey.

In this paper, risk compensation among individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), using the 2017 South African national survey on HIV, is explored. A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling approach was used to realize 11,130 participants 15 years and older. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association between multiple sexual partners, condom use at last sexual encounter, consistency of condom usage and potential explanatory variables using HIV status and ART exposure as a mediator variable.

Understanding the differential impacts of COVID-19 among hospitalised patients in South Africa for equitable response.

Background: There are limited in-depth analyses of COVID-19 differential impacts, especially in resource-limited settings such as South Africa (SA).

Objectives: To explore context-specific sociodemographic heterogeneities in order to understand the differential impacts of COVID-19.

Methods: Descriptive epidemiological COVID-19 hospitalisation and mortality data were drawn from daily hospital surveillance data, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) update reports (6 March 2020 - 24 January 2021) and the Eastern Cape Daily Epidemiological Report (as of 24 March 2021).

Prevalence of self-reported HIV testing and associated factors among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: Results from a 2017 nationally representative population-based HIV survey.

Objectives: This article estimated the prevalence of self-reported HIV testing and identified associated factors among sexually active adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), aged 15-24 years, in South Africa.

Study Design: This is a secondary data analysis of a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional multi-stage cluster survey of households in South Africa conducted in 2017.

Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to describe AGYW characteristics and the multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with HIV testing.

The science of Durban, AIDS 2016.

Introduction: The science presented at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, in July 2016, addressed the state of the field across basic, clinical, prevention, law and policy and implementation science.

Methods And Results: The AIDS response has seen remarkable achievements in scientific advances, in translation of those advances into prevention, treatment and care for affected individuals and communities, and in large scale implementation - reaching 18 million people with antiviral therapy by mid-year 2016. Yet incident HIV infections in adults remain stubbornly stable and are increasing in some regions and among adolescents and adults in some key populations, challenging current science, policy and programming.

Contraception coverage and methods used among women in South Africa: A national household survey.

Background: Globally, family planning services are being strengthened and the range of contraceptive choices expanded. Data on contraceptive coverage and service gaps could help to shape these initiatives.

Objective: To assess contraception coverage in South Africa (SA) and identify underserved populations and aspects of programming that require strengthening.

Age-disparate sex and HIV risk for young women from 2002 to 2012 in South Africa.

Introduction: Age-disparate sex has long been considered a factor that increases HIV risk for young women in South Africa. However, recent studies from specific regions in South Africa have found conflicting evidence. Few studies have assessed the association between age-disparate partnerships (those involving an age gap of 5 years or more) and HIV risk at the national level.

Growing inequities in maternal health in South Africa: a comparison of serial national household surveys.

Background: Rates of maternal mortality and morbidity vary markedly, both between and within countries. Documenting these variations, in a very unequal society like South Africa, provides useful information to direct initiatives to improve services. The study describes inequalities over time in access to maternal health services in South Africa, and identifies differences in maternal health outcomes between population groups and across geographical areas.

New insights into HIV epidemic in South Africa: key findings from the National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey, 2012.

This article presents key findings from the 2012 HIV prevalence, incidence and behaviour survey conducted in South Africa and explores trends in the HIV epidemic. A representative household based survey collected behavioural and biomedical data among people of all ages. Chi-squared test for association and formal trend tests (2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012) were used to test for associations and trends in the HIV epidemic across the four surveys.

Assessing the spatial nonstationarity in relationship between local patterns of HIV infections and the covariates in South Africa: A geographically weighted regression analysis.

Beyond the structural drivers such as distance from the road, rural/urban divide or demographic profiles, not much is known about the spatial relationship between HIV and social covariates. Spatial relations between social covariates and HIV infection of persons above 15 years were explored and mapped using geographically weighted regression model using data from a national HIV household survey conducted in 2008 and comprising 23 369 individuals from approximately 1000 enumeration areas that were randomly selected from the national census. The maps show spatial non-stationarity in relationship between local patterns of HIV prevalence and the social covariates across South Africa.

Does marital status matter in an HIV hyperendemic country? Findings from the 2012 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey.

South Africa has experienced declining marriage rates and the increasing practice of cohabitation without marriage. This study aims to improve the understanding of the relationship between marital status and HIV in South Africa, an HIV hyperendemic country, through an analysis of findings from the 2012 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey. The nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey collected data on HIV and socio-demographic and behavioural determinants in South Africa.

Prevalence of tobacco use among adults in South Africa: Results from the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Data on tobacco use have informed the effectiveness of South Africa (SA)'s tobacco control strategies over the past 20 years.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of tobacco use in the adult SA population according to certain demographic variables, and identify the factors influencing cessation attempts among current smokers.

Methods: A multistage disproportionate nationally representative stratified cluster sample of households was selected for the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted in 2012.

The case for expanding the definition of 'key populations' to include high-risk groups in the general population to improve targeted HIV prevention efforts.

Background: Two additional key populations within the general population in South Africa (SA) that are at risk of HIV infection are black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years.

Objective: To investigate the social determinants of HIV serostatus for these two high-risk populations.

Methods: Data from the 2012 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey were analysed for black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years.

A Comparison of South African National HIV Incidence Estimates: A Critical Appraisal of Different Methods.

Background: The interpretation of HIV prevalence trends is increasingly difficult as antiretroviral treatment programs expand. Reliable HIV incidence estimates are critical to monitoring transmission trends and guiding an effective national response to the epidemic.

Methods And Findings: We used a range of methods to estimate HIV incidence in South Africa: (i) an incidence testing algorithm applying the Limiting-Antigen Avidity Assay (LAg-Avidity EIA) in combination with antiretroviral drug and HIV viral load testing; (ii) a modelling technique based on the synthetic cohort principle; and (iii) two dynamic mathematical models, the EPP/Spectrum model package and the Thembisa model.