Uneven progress: disparities in HIV care across Free State districts

Between 2017 and 2022, HIV prevalence among young people in the Free State increased. This was a worrying caveat to the overall gains made in tackling the HIV epidemic in the province, as reported in the HSRC’s 2022 national household HIV survey. Progress was also uneven at the district level, with the lowest antiretroviral treatment coverage occurring in the district with the highest prevalence. At a provincial dialogue following the launch of these findings, stakeholders highlighted the need to channel resources into PEPFAR-unsupported areas. They also discussed providing more men-friendly services at more diverse locations.