HIV rates among pregnant women are stable

The survey was conducted among more than 33 000 pregnant women aged 15-49 years old in some 1500 public health clinics in October last year.

The HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women in 2009 was estimated to be virtually the same as 2008: 29.4% compared to 29.3% the previous year.

Major findings of the report include:

* Pregnant women 30-34 years have the highest HIV prevalence at 41%;

* HIV rates have risen the most in women aged 35-39, from 29% in 2006 to 35% in 2009;

* Kwazulu-Natal is still the province with the highest prevalence, estimated at 39%; and

* Syphilis prevalence remains unchanged at 1.9%.

Releasing the survey on Thursday November 11, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that an extra R5.4 billion had been allocated for expanding ARV treatment, in the 2010-11 financial year.

An estimated 1.584 million South Africans older than 15 years need ARVs and 158 000 children, the report states.