February 14, 2007

CAPE TOWN -- About one in 10 health workers at two Gauteng hospitals tested positive for HIV, according to a study in the latest issue of the South African Medical Journal.

The study reports the results of a survey carried out in 2005 of 1 493 professional and support staff at the Coronation and Helen Joseph hospitals, both in Johannesburg.

The survey, by teams from the hospitals and the Boston University School of Public Health, found an overall HIV prevalence of 11.5%.

The level of prevalence was highest among student nurses (13.8%) and nurses (13.7%).

The level among students was the "most concerning" of the study's findings.

"Nursing students are already in short supply in South Africa and are urgently needed to fill vacant posts," said the researchers.

Low CD4 counts

"High HIV prevalence, and therefore high impending morbidity and mortality, among nursing students is very bad news and should cause the nursing school faculty to take notice."

Consistent with wider trends in South Africa, women tested in the survey were more likely to be HIV positive (12%) than men (7.9%).

Nearly a fifth of those who tested positive had CD4 counts low enough to make them eligible for antiretroviral treatment.

The researchers said the 11.5% figure was substantially lower than the 16% prevalence estimated for all adults in Gauteng and among the health workforce nationwide.

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