Percentage of pregnant women living with HIV in South Africa increases, survey suggests

The percentage of pregnant women living with HIV in South Africa "has inched up to 30.2 percent from 29.4 percent last year," according to the annual National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis Prevalence survey released by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in Pretoria on Tuesday, Agence France-Presse reports (11/29). The survey "sampled over 32,000 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in October last year," South Africa's Times Live notes (11/30).

"Motsoaledi said there was a high degree of stabilization in the percentage increase of pregnant women between ages 16 to 24 who were infected. However, there had been an upward spike between the ages of 24 and 39," News24 writes. "He attributed the high HIV prevalence in the older category to a lack of [antiretrovirals (ARVs)] and counseling," according to the news service, which adds, "While the figures were still within the government's parameters, Motsoaledi said it would still continue to increase its ARV rollout and HIV/AIDS prevention strategies" (11/29).