In order to gather information on HIV incidence, prevalence and other related indicators in South Africa, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and its partners have launched the sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behavior and Communication Survey – also known as the sixth South African Behavioural, Sero-status and Media Impact Survey (SABSSM VI).

The information gathered from this survey is critical in shaping the country’s HIV policy.

The survey is repeated about every five years and this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the first round of the survey.

The study will take place across all nine provinces and is targeting a total of 93 000 participants from about 25 000 households. 

One addition to the study this year is that a sub-sample of participants will be randomly selected to test for SARS-Cov-2 antibodies, helping the research agency better understand the true impact of Covid-19 in South Africa. 

The HSRC said the data gathered during the survey is used to determine HIV prevalence, incidence, antiretroviral treatment (ART) exposure, viral load suppression, HIV drug resistance, and risk behaviors in South Africa.

HSRC uses cutting-edge technology and a network of fieldworkers to engage with people across the country, to ensure that the data gathered is accurate and useful in shaping policy and strategy at the highest level.

The research agency said field workers have already begun data collection in communities and will continue throughout 2022.

Overall HSRC Principal Investigator Professor Khangelani Zuma said the survey is conducted to understand the factors driving the HIV epidemic and its dynamics and is used to inform policies and strategies to tackle the epidemic. 

South African National AIDS Council CEO Dr Thembisile Xulu explained that the study is arguably the most important health survey done in the county.

“It gives us an up-to-date picture of HIV prevalence and incidence. Plus, it helps us identify hot spot areas, so that the Department of Health and Department of Social Development can develop highly targeted interventions to address the spread of HIV and provide treatment to those that need it most,” she explained,

The HSRC said the success of the survey depends on the willingness of people to speak with field workers for the survey.

The field teams follow strict Covid-19 protocols, precautions and measures and all information gathered is stored securely and in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

The survey is funded by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).

SABSSM VI is conducted by the HSRC in partnership with the CDC, South African Medical Research Council, the University of Cape Town, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, and PEPFAR South Africa.