South Africa's response to the HIV and AIDS epidemics

The first part of this chapter provides an account of the history of HIV and AIDS in South Africa through a review of the literature. The next section outlines the epidemiology of HIV in South Africa, using the results from the four repeated surveys conducted by the HSRC and its partners in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012 to determine trends and to demonstrate the strides that have been made in addressing the challenge of HIV and AIDS, and highlighting the challenges that remain. A discussion of various policies and intervention programmes on HIV prevention, treatment, care and mitigation of impact follows, which are believed to have contributed towards the success story in managing HIV and AIDS. The chapter ends by suggesting how South Africa can move forward to become an HIV-free society.