HIV Testing Increases Among S. African Men

At a media briefing in Johannesburg today on the Second National HIV and AIDS 2009 Communication Survey, the project's managing director reported a significant increase in HIV testing among South African men. The results showed the proportion of men testing had risen from 24 percent to 60 percent in a year. Saul Johnson of Health and Development Africa (HDA) called the figures "dramatic," and attributed the rise in part to awareness campaigns and programs.

The HDA survey of 9,728 South Africans ages 16-55 was conducted in all nine provinces between June and August last year. It found that HIV testing increased to 31.8 percent of men and 71.2 percent of women in the 15-24 age group in 2009, up from 17 percent and 38 percent, respectively, in 2006. Among those ages 16-19, 75 percent of males and 78 percent of females were tested in the previous year. In all, 61 percent of all sexually active respondents had ever been tested, and 60 percent of all men and women reported being tested in the previous 12 months.

Most men and women said cheating on partners was normal and pervasive, though the percentage of those who believed faithfulness was a way to prevent HIV increased from 26 percent in 2006 to 39.1 percent last year.

"While there is evidence that the message around the risks of multiple partners is getting through, the message needs to be sustained in the future to further increase knowledge levels and bring about behavior change," said Johnson.

Few men reported knowing that male circumcision can reduce the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission, and the issue is not "top-of-mind" for many, the survey noted. The misguided belief that alcohol consumption can lower the risk of contracting HIV was common, the results indicated.

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