TB is the top cause of death in the 15-24-year age group, and HIV ranks second, according to StatsSA.
The Human Sciences Research Council’s 2017 HIV survey found that rate of HIV incidence among young women was three times the rate among young men – that is, 1.51% compared to 0.49%. This translates to 66 000 and 22 000 new infections a year respectively.
About 28% of all new HIV infections in South Africa are currently occurring among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years. When it comes to TB, young men are more at risk than young women, although the burden is highest among slightly older men.
