General Research

Marina Coleman (2009) HIV & AIDS: Your complete guide and resource book.

This is a great introduction to HIV and AIDS. The book is illustrated by Sifiso Yalo.

HSRC (2009) South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey 2008

A comprehensive household survey of HIV/AIDS, following up on the 2005 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. The often-quoted study is possibly the fairest reflection of South African HIV-awareness and sexual behaviour among all age groups and races.

WHO,UNICEF & UNAIDS (2009) Towards Universal Access 2009 Progress Report.

Towards universal access provides a comprehensive global update on progress in the health sector response to HIV/AIDS. The current report is the third in a series of annual reports published by WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS in collaboration with international and national partners.

UNAIDS (2009) AIDS Epidemic Update

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

UNAIDS (2008) Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic Update: August 2008

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.

SA National Department of Health (2008)2008 National Antenatal Sentinel HIV & Syphilis Prevalence Survey

The South African antenatal clinic survey is conducted annually in October. The information from the survey is then used to estimate the rate of new HIV infections (incidence) and HIV-associated deaths by applying mathematical models to HIV. prevalence estimates.

Statistics South Africa (2007) Released: 2009.Mortality and causes of death in South Africa 2007: findings from death notifications

Although this study is difficult to interpret because often AIDS-related illnesses are not attributed to AIDS on the death certificate, the recorded insreases in mortality speak strongly to the South African AIDS epidemic. (Also read the Treatment Action Campaign's interpretation of the results).

Centre for AIDS Development, Research and Evaluation (2007) Concurrent Sexual Partnerships Amongst Young Adults in South Africa.

"Having concurrent sexual partners is well established in the scientific literature as an important factor underpinning rapid growth of the HIV epidemic – particularly in Southern Africa. The findings of this study show that having concurrent sexual partners is common amongst young people aged 20-30 in South Africa. There are many underlying factors to this phenomenon, but for the most part it involves an intersection between socioeconomic and cultural contexts that are intertwined with individual psychological factors related to self-esteem and fatalism."

Centre for Actuarial Research (2006) 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.

UNAIDS (2005) AIDS in Africa: Three scenarios to 2025.

"This project uses stories rather than projections to explore the future of AIDS in Africa over the next 20 years. Statistics may give a succinct and tragic snapshot of recent events, but they say little of the AIDS epidemic’s wider context, or its complex interconnections with other major issues, such as economic development, human security, peace, and violence."

Marais, Hein (2005) Buckling: the impact of AIDS in South Africa

"Buckling takes a critical look at how we should be measuring the impact of HIV and AIDS on South Africa (...) Can a society such as South Africa come to terms with the impact of AIDS and generate a brave, vibrant and robust response? Can we understand the lessons of the past and create a future that protects and supports us all as we negotiate our way through this most fascinating of all epidemics and the many social, political, economic and personal ramifications it will produce?"

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.