A levelling of the HIV prevalence rate was a sign government and the South African National Aids Council's (Sanac's) efforts to counter the spread of the virus were working, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told Members of Parliament on Wednesday.

Responding to a question in the National Assembly, he said figures from a Human Sciences Research Council survey last year showed the HIV prevalence rate had levelled off at 10,9% among people aged two years and older.

"Prevalence has also declined among children aged two to 14 years -from 5,6% in 2002, to 2,5% in 2008. In addition, the survey found that new infections have declined among teenagers aged 15 to 19.

"These results support our view that the concerted efforts of government and other Sanac sectors are achieving results."

He said Sanac was currently undertaking a review of the 2007 to 2011 HIV/Aids National Strategic Plan "in order to assess progress, and to consider what improvements can be made to ensure that our targets for 2011 are met".

The plan calls for the rate of new HIV/Aids infections to be halved by 2011.

Motlanthe said the results of the review would be ready in the first quarter of next year.

Responding to another question, the deputy president also undertook to investigate what had happened to the 2008 antenatal clinic report, the results of which are seen as key indicators of the spread of the HIV virus.

"I undertake to find out where this report is, and to ensure it is made available," Motlanthe said.