While South Africa carries the staggering burden of being home to 20% of the world's HIV-positive population, a deeper look at the 2022 statistics reveals a complex story of both profound challenge and remarkable progress in the nation's fight against the epidemic.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, South Africa accounted for 20% of all people living with HIV globally, with approximately 7.8 million PLHIV out of 39 million worldwide.
- The adult HIV prevalence rate (15-49 years) in South Africa was 19.5% in 2022, the highest in the world.
- HIV prevalence among women aged 15-49 in South Africa reached 25.8% in 2022, compared to 14.2% for men.
- New HIV infections in South Africa totaled 150,000 in 2022, down 44% since 2010.
- Annual HIV incidence rate among adults 15-49 was 0.73% in South Africa in 2022.
- 72,000 new HIV infections occurred among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in 2022.
- 5.6 million people living with HIV in South Africa were on ART in 2022, covering 77% of PLHIV.
- ART coverage among adults 15+ reached 78% in South Africa by end of 2022.
- 90% of diagnosed PLHIV in South Africa were virally suppressed in 2022.
- AIDS-related deaths in South Africa numbered 74,000 in 2022, down 58% since 2010.
- Mortality rate among PLHIV was 1.1% in South Africa 2022.
- 11,000 children died from AIDS-related causes in South Africa in 2022.
- HIV testing coverage reached 92% among adults 15-49 in South Africa 2022.
- 15 million HIV tests were conducted in public facilities in South Africa in 2022.
- Condom use at last high-risk sex was 65% among youth 15-24 in 2022.
South Africa has the world's highest HIV rates but is making strong treatment progress.
AIDS Incidence and New Infections
- New HIV infections in South Africa totaled 150,000 in 2022, down 44% since 2010.
- Annual HIV incidence rate among adults 15-49 was 0.73% in South Africa in 2022.
- 72,000 new HIV infections occurred among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in 2022.
- KwaZulu-Natal saw 28,500 new HIV infections in 2022, the highest provincially.
- Gauteng recorded 32,000 new HIV cases in adults in 2022.
- Incidence among young women 15-24 was 4.6% annually in high-prevalence areas in 2022.
- New infections among MSM were estimated at 12,000 in 2022.
- Female sex workers accounted for 15,000 new infections in 2022.
- HIV incidence in pregnant women dropped to 2.1% in 2022 from 3.5% in 2015.
- Eastern Cape had 14,200 new adult HIV infections in 2022.
- New infections declined by 68% among children 0-14 since 2010, to 1,800 in 2022.
- Limpopo province reported 8,900 new HIV infections in 2022.
- Western Cape saw 11,500 new cases among adults in 2022.
- Incidence rate in urban informal settlements was 1.2% in 2022 surveys.
- Northern Cape new infections totaled 3,400 in adults 2022.
- Mpumalanga had 15,600 new HIV cases in 2022.
- North West province incidence contributed 12,100 new infections in 2022.
- Free State recorded 9,800 new adult infections in 2022.
- Overall new infections fell 5% from 2021 to 2022 in South Africa.
AIDS Incidence and New Infections Interpretation
While headline progress offers a weary cheer, the stubbornly high infections among young women and key populations reveal a battle where alarming local surges stubbornly undermine the national retreat.
HIV Prevalence Rates
- In 2022, South Africa accounted for 20% of all people living with HIV globally, with approximately 7.8 million PLHIV out of 39 million worldwide.
- The adult HIV prevalence rate (15-49 years) in South Africa was 19.5% in 2022, the highest in the world.
- HIV prevalence among women aged 15-49 in South Africa reached 25.8% in 2022, compared to 14.2% for men.
- In KwaZulu-Natal province, HIV prevalence among adults was 26.5% in the 2022 survey.
- Gauteng province had an HIV prevalence of 21.4% among adults aged 15-49 in 2022.
- Eastern Cape's adult HIV prevalence stood at 18.9% according to the 2022 national survey.
- Limpopo province reported 17.2% HIV prevalence among adults in 2022.
- In 2022, 12.7% of South Africa's total population was living with HIV.
- Youth aged 15-24 HIV prevalence in South Africa was 5.2% for females and 2.1% for males in 2022.
- Pregnant women HIV prevalence at antenatal clinics averaged 27.8% nationally in 2022.
- HIV prevalence in urban areas of South Africa was 20.1% versus 18.3% in rural areas in 2022.
- Among sex workers in South Africa, HIV prevalence was estimated at 57.7% in 2022.
- MSM HIV prevalence in South Africa averaged 28% in key population surveys of 2022.
- People who inject drugs had 12.5% HIV prevalence in South African cities in 2022.
- Western Cape province HIV prevalence was 16.8% among adults in 2022.
- Northern Cape reported 15.4% adult HIV prevalence in the 2022 survey.
- Mpumalanga's HIV prevalence reached 24.1% for adults aged 15-49 in 2022.
- North West province had 19.7% HIV prevalence in 2022 national data.
- Free State province adult HIV prevalence was 22.3% in 2022.
- Overall, 4.1 million children under 18 in South Africa were affected by HIV in 2022.
HIV Prevalence Rates Interpretation
South Africa's battle with HIV is a national crisis of staggering proportions, where one in five adults carries the virus, a burden shouldered most heavily by women and concentrated in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, yet its reach is chillingly universal, touching every community from sex workers to children.
Mortality and AIDS-related Deaths
- AIDS-related deaths in South Africa numbered 74,000 in 2022, down 58% since 2010.
- Mortality rate among PLHIV was 1.1% in South Africa 2022.
- 11,000 children died from AIDS-related causes in South Africa in 2022.
- KwaZulu-Natal recorded 18,500 AIDS deaths in adults 2022.
- Gauteng had 15,200 AIDS-related deaths in 2022.
- TB was the leading cause of AIDS deaths, accounting for 42% in 2022.
- Women accounted for 56% of all AIDS deaths in South Africa 2022.
- Eastern Cape reported 9,800 AIDS deaths in 2022.
- AIDS mortality among adults 15-49 declined 65% since peak in 2006.
- Limpopo had 5,200 AIDS-related deaths in 2022.
- Western Cape AIDS deaths totaled 6,100 in adults 2022.
- Northern Cape recorded 2,000 AIDS deaths in 2022.
- Mpumalanga had 8,900 AIDS-related deaths in 2022.
- North West province deaths from AIDS were 7,500 in 2022.
- Free State reported 6,700 AIDS deaths in 2022 data.
- Orphans due to AIDS numbered 1.2 million children in South Africa 2022.
- Late diagnosis contributed to 25% of AIDS deaths before ART initiation in 2022.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia caused 15% of AIDS mortality in hospitals 2022.
Mortality and AIDS-related Deaths Interpretation
The numbers tell a grim, two-faced story: while we've heroically slashed AIDS deaths by over half, the stubborn, unconscionable details—like 11,000 children lost, a million orphans, and women bearing 56% of the burden—prove that our fight is far from won.
Testing, Prevention, and Behavioral Stats
- HIV testing coverage reached 92% among adults 15-49 in South Africa 2022.
- 15 million HIV tests were conducted in public facilities in South Africa in 2022.
- Condom use at last high-risk sex was 65% among youth 15-24 in 2022.
- PrEP initiations totaled 250,000 users in South Africa by end of 2022.
- Voluntary medical male circumcision covered 32% of men 15-49 in 2022.
- Knowledge of HIV status was 89% among adults in 2022 surveys.
- 85% of adolescent girls knew their HIV status in 2022.
- Multiple sexual partners in past year: 12% for women, 25% for men 2022.
- Mother-to-child transmission rate dropped to 1.3% in 2022.
- Eastern Cape testing positivity rate was 4.2% in 2022.
- Community-based testing reached 2.5 million people in 2022.
- DREAMS program covered 1.1 million AGYW for prevention in 2022.
- Contraceptive use among HIV+ women was 62% in 2022.
- Limpopo self-testing kits distributed: 500,000 in 2022.
- Age-disparate relationships declined to 14% among teen girls 2022.
- Northern Cape prevention coverage for key populations: 55% in 2022.
- Mpumalanga condom distribution: 450 million in 2022.
- North West HIV testing in schools reached 80% of learners 2022.
- Free State PrEP coverage among sex workers: 42% in 2022.
- Transactional sex reported by 10% of women 15-49 in 2022 survey.
- VMMC procedures: 1.2 million cumulative since 2010 by 2022.
Testing, Prevention, and Behavioral Stats Interpretation
The statistics reveal a mountain of public health effort is steadily being moved, yet a stubborn molehill of complacency in personal risk behavior still lingers.
Treatment Access and ART
- 5.6 million people living with HIV in South Africa were on ART in 2022, covering 77% of PLHIV.
- ART coverage among adults 15+ reached 78% in South Africa by end of 2022.
- 90% of diagnosed PLHIV in South Africa were virally suppressed in 2022.
- KwaZulu-Natal had 85% ART coverage among adults in 2022.
- Gauteng province achieved 82% of PLHIV on ART in 2022 surveys.
- Viral load suppression rate was 92% among those on ART for over 6 months in 2022.
- Children 0-14 on ART numbered 240,000, or 65% coverage in 2022.
- Pregnant women living with HIV had 97% ART coverage in antenatal care 2022.
- Eastern Cape ART coverage was 75% among adults in 2022.
- Dolutegravir-based regimens were used by 95% of new ART initiators in 2022.
- Limpopo province had 72% ART coverage for PLHIV in 2022.
- Western Cape reported 80% viral suppression among ART patients in 2022.
- Northern Cape ART initiation reached 70% of eligible adults in 2022.
- Mpumalanga had 79% ART coverage in 2022 provincial data.
- North West province ART coverage stood at 76% for adults 2022.
- Free State achieved 81% of PLHIV on treatment in 2022.
- Differentiated service delivery models covered 45% of stable patients in 2022.
- TB/HIV co-infection treatment integration reached 88% in 2022 facilities.
- Retention on ART at 12 months was 87% nationally in South Africa 2022.
Treatment Access and ART Interpretation
South Africa’s HIV response is like a complex machine that, despite a few stubbornly squeaky provincial gears, has managed to get the vast majority of its cogs turning and humming along beautifully.
Sources & References
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