Nelson Mandela/HSRC study of HIV/AIDS: South African national HIV prevalence, behavioural risks and mass media: household survey 2002

This is a watershed cultural and demographic survey, commissioned by former President Nelson Mandela, and it came up with some surprising results! This study sampled a thorough cross-section of 9 963 South Africans from all walks of life. It shows 11 per cent are HIV+, 15.2 per cent of them aged between 15 and 49. Contrary to previous estimates, provinces with large urban informal settlements have the highest incidence of HIV infection - the Free State shows the highest prevalence in this regard! Women are more at risk of infection than men, with the Western Cape showing much higher figures than previous projections. Higher rates of infection (5.6%) are also found in children aged 2 - 14. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is generally high, with sexual behaviour changes taking root in encouragingly low numbers of sexual partners and high levels of abstinence among the youth. There is still great uncertainty of the relationship between HIV and AIDS and popular myths. South Africans from all walks of life are at risk. In particular, wealthy Africans have the same levels of risk as poorer Africans - whereas in other race groups, poorer people are more vulnerable to infection. While the Executive Summary contains results, conclusions and recommendations, the Full Report takes a deeper look at the methodology and processes involved in its execution.