Easy Access
Higher Health facilitates easy access to HIV testing on campuses, ensuring confidentiality and non-stigmatised testing environments. Counselling services are provided for students who test positive and guidance on managing the impact of HIV/AIDS on academic and personal life.
Effective Tools
Students are also advised and provided with PrEP, an effective tool that can reduce transmission by up to 99% when taken consistently.
New Infections
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.
Adolescent Girls
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.