HIV/AIDS communication programmes in South Africa are successfully influencing people to have safer sexual relationships – and the more programmes to which people are exposed, the more they take heed, according to the second National Communication Survey on HIV/AIDS 2009 (NCS 09).

Dr Saul Johnson, of Health & Development Africa, who led the research process, says that overall, the country’s HIV/AIDS communication programmes are working – and they are having a positive impact particularly with youth, on the levels of condom usage, HIV testing, and knowledge of the risks of having multiple sexual partners.

 The second National Communication Survey on HIV/AIDS (NCS), 2009, examines the effectiveness of 11 South African HIV/AIDS communication programmes. The first survey was conducted in 2006.

A total of 9 728 people aged between 16 and 55 years, from all nine provinces and representative of the country’s population, took part in the survey. Respondents underwent a thorough interview, in which they were asked to provide answers to a structured questionnaire.

The NCS was co-funded by the Department of Health through Khomanani campaign, and USAID and CDC through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Partners are Johns Hopkins Health and Education in South Africa (JHHESA), Health and Development Africa (HDA), Soul City and the Community Media Trust.

Click here to read more and click here to view the Fact Sheet on JHHESA website.