The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) at a satellite session held at the 2024 International AIDS Conference on 24 July 2024.

The survey found that HIV prevalence for all ages decreased from 14.0% in 2017 to 12.7% in 2022 translating to a decline from 7.9 million (2017) to 7.8 million (2022) people living with HIV. However, the data shows that females continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV with a prevalence of 16.4% as compared to males at 8.8% of all ages. Prevalence peaks at 34.2% for females aged 35–39 years, whereas prevalence peaks at 27.1% for males aged 45–49 years.

HIV incidence in people aged two years and older in 2022 was 0.44%, translating to 232 400 new HIV infections in South Africa. HIV incidence was 0.60% among adults 15 years and older translating to 227 400; 0.39% among youth and young adults aged 15–24; and 0.72% among adults aged 15–49 years. In 2022, the HIV incidence rate was consistently higher in females than males in all age categories.

In terms of treatment, South Africa recorded an increase in antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage, from 63.7% in 2017 to 80.9% in 2022. This translates to an estimated 5 700 000 people living with HIV receiving ART, an increase from 4 500 000 in 2017. A greater proportion of females, 83.2% than males, 76.2% were on ART. HIV viral load suppression stands at 81.4% for all ages.

Survey by Human Sciences Research Council