HIV infection

The HIV sentinel surveillance data has helped to map the epidemic and monitor HIV infection trends in the country and has served as an advocacy tool, resulting in the mobilization of partners, resources and development of innovative approaches by the national response to HIV and AIDS. The 2011 HIV survey was the 22nd round to be conducted in the country by the Department of Health. The South African antenatal clinic survey is done annually in October to obtain an estimate of the point prevalence for that year. The data set generated from this survey is used by mathematical modelers such WHO/UNAIDS reference group and others to estimate the rate of new HIV infections(incidence) and HIV-associated deaths are derived through mathematical models applied to HIV prevalence estimates.

The position is offered as a 3 month contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to funding availability. The position is located in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal

Duties:

(Six - month Temporary Contract Appointment)

The Desmond Tutu TB Centre (DTTC), in collaboration with the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and TREAT TB, has embarked on an OPERATIONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANCE PROJECT, involving research projects in all 9 provinces.

The Data Clerk position is offered as a six-month contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funding. The position is based in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal.

The project aims to:

Explore the reasons for the low rates of MDR-TB treatment initiation in public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Duties:

The "tried and tested" models described reflect the range of great work being done at the coal face to prevent HIV infection and mother-to-child prevention of HIV. The models and tools have been developed by frontline nurses and doctors across South Africa and in neighboring countries that are facing huge challenges with limited resources.

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Preamble and Contents

These recommendations have been developed specifically to address the daily use of antiretrovirals in HIV-uninfected people to block the acquisition of HIV infection. This prevention approach is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis.

At this stage evidence is available from studies with two groups: men and transgender women who have sex with men; and serodiscordant heterosexual couples. In parallel, WHO also is preparing new recommendations on the use of antiretroviral drugs in people living with HIV to prevent transmission of infection.

The global war on drugs is driving the HIV/AIDS pandemic among people who use drugs and their sexual partners. Throughout the world, research has consistently shown that repressive drug law enforcement practices force drug users away from public health services and into hidden environments where HIV risk becomes markedly elevated. Mass incarceration of non-violent drug offenders also plays a major role in increasing HIV risk. This is a critical public health issue in many countries, including the United States, where as many as 25 percent of Americans infected with HIV may pass through correctional facilities annually, and where disproportionate incarceration rates are among the key reasons for markedly higher HIV rates among African Americans.

The report covers the maternal deaths that were reported to the NCCEMD secretariat by 15th April 2011, and that occurred in the triennium 2008-2010. The same definitions used in previous Saving Mothers reports were used in this report.

Key findings

This report draws on recently collected field data from numerous countries where the International HIV/AIDS Alliance operates to explain why the funding crisis requires urgent action on the part of Global Fund donors and all other stakeholders. The Alliance’s recommendations for responding to the crisis are based on our analysis of the implications of funding shortfalls in the following specific areas: HIV treatment; HIV prevention; care and support; services for key populations at higher risk of HIV infection; and efforts to create an enabling environment.

The Progress report 2011: Global HIV/AIDS response reviews progress made until the end of 2010 in scaling up access to health sector interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in low–and middle-income countries.

It is the fifth in a series of annual progress reports published since 2006 by WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS, in collaboration with national and international partners, to monitor key components of the health sector response to the HIV epidemic.

A Policy Statement.

The number of infants born with HIV infection is growing every day. The AIDS pandemic represents a tragic setback in the progress made on child welfare and survival. Given the vital importance of breast milk and breast- feeding for child health, the increasing prevalence of HIV infection around the world, and the evidence of a risk of HIV transmission through breast-feeding, it is now crucial that policies be developed on HIV infection and infant feeding.

The following statement provides policy-makers with a number of key elements for the formulation of such policies.