AIDS Blamed for South Africa's 50% Adult Death Rate Increase

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 03 Mar 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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South Africa's AIDS epidemic is the main reason for a 50% increase in the country's adult death rate, say researchers.

The younger, sexually-active sector of the population seems to have the biggest rise in the adult death rate. Experts say this is mainly due to AIDS.

Out of a total population of 45 million in South Africa, 5.3 million have AIDS.

Critics say the South African government has been too slow in fighting AIDS. Politicians can never agree on the cause of AIDS, its severity and how to treat it.

Mbeki, South Africa's President, says that statistics on AIDS deaths in his country are unreliable. He has even questioned whether there really is a link between HIV and AIDS (in the past). He says it is not possible to know how widespread the epidemic really is.

People accuse the authorities of playing down the numbers.

A new MRC study looked at official death statistic between the years 1998-2003. It provides proof of the extent of South Africa's rising adult death rate and cases of AIDS.

The study showed that more women are dying of AIDS than men.

Total registered deaths for people aged 15-49 rose 68% in six years. In 1998 the number stood at 272,000, in 2003 it reached 457,000.

If you take into account factors such as general population growth, better identification and reporting of cases, the increase still stands at around 44%.

The increase in deaths among women aged 20-49 was staggering over the six year period - it was 168%!! This group has the highest risk of contracting AIDS.

Some experts said that if steps are not taken now, these numbers could snowball.

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