KEY DOCUMENTS

SA National Department of Health. 2003. Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment for South Africa.

This document sets out the SA National Department of Health's implementation plan for the treatment and care of HIV-positive people in South Africa. It is a landmark document as it indicated for the first time a firm commitment from the SA government towards universal antiretroviral treatment in the public sector. However, some of the goals set out in the plan have not been met and the rollout is far behind schedule. A useful document for measuring the Department of Health's "promises" against reality.

Mark Heywood, 2004. The Price of Denial.

A concise and well-referenced history of President Thabo Mbeki's flirtation with HIV/AIDS denialism and its impact on HIV/AIDS policy in South Africa. Also examines the response and role of the Treatment Action Campaign in confronting AIDS denialism.

SA National Department of Health, 2000. HIV/AIDS/STD Strategic Plan for South Africa 2000 – 2005.

This is one of the most referred to HIV/AIDS documents in South Africa by government officials. The strategic plan gives a situational analysis of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and offers responses in four priority areas including, Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support, Research, Monitoring and Surveillance, and Human Rights. Journalists can use the document to review progress in the areas outlined in strategy.

(Also see March 2003 Update on the National HIV and AIDS Programme)

UNAIDS & WHO. AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2006

An excellent and authoritative global review of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Report focuses on HIV prevalence and AIDS mortality.

UNAIDS. Report on the global AIDS epidemic: Executive summary 2006.

An excellent and authoritative global review of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Report focuses on current global interventions to fight HIV/AIDS, and also gives relevant facts and statistics.

UNAIDS & WHO. AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2005

An excellent and authoritative global review of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Report focuses on HIV prevalence and AIDS mortality.

Centre for Actuarial Research. The Demographic impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa: National and Provincial Indicators for 2006.

Province by province breakdown of AIDS statistics and factors in particular areas, as well as predicted outcomes based on mathematical models.

SA National Department of Health. National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-Prevalence Survey in South Africa, 2004.

The Department of Health has been testing pregnant women attending antenatal care providers since 1990. The results show a clear prevalence trend from a national average of 0.7% in 1990 to 29.5% in 2004.

Statistics South Africa. Mortality and causes of death in South Africa, 1997–2003.

Although this study is difficult to interpret because often AIDS-related illnesses are not attributed to AIDS on the death certificate, the general findings are startling. An extraordinary rise in deaths between 1997 and 2003, especially between ages 20-45, can mostly be attributed to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. (Also read the Treatment Action Campaign's interpretation of the results.)

HSRC. South African National HIV Prevalence Incidence Behaviour and Communication Survey, 2005

A comprehensive household survey of HIV/AIDS, following up on the 2002 study using similar indicators. Most of the respondents that were interviewed were also tested for HIV. The study estimates 10.8% of South Africans over the age of two are HIV-positive. A new measure — HIV Incidence The often-quoted study is possibly the fairest reflection of South African HIV-awareness and sexual behaviour among all age groups and races.

Reproductive Health Research Unit, 2003. HIV and Sexual Behaviour Among Young South Africans: A national survey of 15-24 year olds.

A comprehensive survey of the sexual behaviour and HIV awareness of 15-24 year olds. Perhaps the most valuable data comes from the direct HIV testing of those participating in the survey. Based on the results, a national HIV prevalence of 10.2% is estimated amongst 15-24 year-olds. The remainder of the study deals with levels of sexual experience, characteristics of sexual activity, HIV awareness, their outlook on life and their response to the LoveLife campaign (the sponsors of this study).

A valuable resource for any journalist writing about the youth and HIV/AIDS.

Centre for AIDS Development, Research and Evaluation, 2002. On the Move: The response of public transport commuters to HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

A study looking at the awareness and response of commuters to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With 18.3-million public transport commuters in South Africa, this research offers a good representation of lower to middle class South Africa. Some good quotable statistics ranging from condom use to identification of AIDS symbols.

The Black Sash and Educational Training Unit, 2004. HIV/AIDS and the Law.

Comprehensive guide to issues related to HIV/AIDS and South African law. A good reference for journalists covering stories involving discrimination and rights abuses towards HIV-positive people.

NIAID, 2003. Evidence that HIV causes AIDS

An exhaustive review of the evidence that HIV causes AIDS. This document is often cited by experts in refutations of AIDS denialism. May be useful to journalists when writing about high profile AIDS denialism.