Statistics and Research – Media Watch
Tools only as good as the craftsman
Initially we were thrilled when a Daily Sun journalist called the JournAIDS helpline for advice on an HIV-related dimension of a story this week. But enthusiasm quickly dissipated when we opened the paper the next day to discover that the information we supplied was not used to offer context or further understanding and the source was misrepresented.
Injectable contraceptives increase HIV risk
Women using injectable contraceptives are at a higher risk of HIV infection and transmission than those who use other non barrier contraceptive methods.
This is according to a new study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal. About 3790 serodiscordant heterosexual couples from 7 African countries were involved in the study which was conducted from 2007 to 2009.
Since the study targeted those in relationships it took into consideration that many of these women were not using barrier methods such as condoms for protection from HIV and other STIs and relied solely on oral or injectable contraceptives as a form of protection against pregnancy alone.
WHO report: The good and bad news on TB
Today the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its Global Tuberculosis Control report. One of the major findings highlighted in the report was a global decrease in the amount of people being infected with and dying of this curable condition.
Looking locally, however, the situation is far grimmer.
South Africa has by far the most cases of HIV/TB co-infection in the world and TB continues to be the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.
Fuzzy article says orphan numbers up
Growing concern over the state of South African families is the focus of a rather ‘fuzzy’ article appearing in The Citizen today.
According to the article, South African families are crumbling due to HIV and AIDS, poverty and unemployment, leaving a vast number of orphans and vulnerable children in their wake.
Contradictory messages around need for safe sex
If you are a dedicated reader of The Star and Sunday Times newspapers you might be forgiven for being completely confused as to whether risky sex is still a problem contributing to the spread of HIV among young South Africans.
Judging by the headlines of the two seemingly contradictory articles published by the papers, there seems to be some mixed messages around whether risky sex still influences the nation’s HIV prevalence.
