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AIDS and STI report due for release

An HIV and syphilis prevalence report among South African women at public antenatal clinics is due for release, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported on Friday. The Department of Health said the results of the survey were an important barometer of the spread of HIV/AIDS and the efficacy of the government's programmes. "The department regards HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as major challenges and is constantly scaling up the response in terms of budget allocation and programme implementation," a ministry of health spokesman, Sibani Mngadi, said. Survey results since 1998 indicated that HIV infection rates were levelling out and the level of syphilis was on a sharp decrease. "It looks as if we are getting close to the stabilisation of this epidemic," Mngadi added. Although the results had been expected before the end of June, Mngadi confirmed that they would be released by the end of July.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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