The national household HIV prevalence and risk survey of South African Children

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to determine HIV prevalence amongst South African children from 2 to 14 years of age. We also sought to identify social and community risk factors that predispose children to HIV infection as well as the impact of the epidemic on children in terms of orphan status and child-headed households. Finally the study examined children’s knowledge of HIV and HIV prevention their knowledge about sexual behaviour and HIV as well as their own patterns of sexual behaviour and changes in that behaviour. As a research team we made sure that the children participating in the study were treated with the utmost respect and that all field workers received ethical guidelines and training pertaining to the inclusion of children. Our findings show clearly that risk environments levels of care and protection as well as of knowledge and communication about sex and HIV influence a child’s vulnerability to HIV infection. We hope that this report will open the debate about how best to deal with the particular vulnerability of children and that organisations working with and for children will benefit from this information. We hope that the knowledge and recommendations made in this study will help prevent new infections among children. (authors)