October 2004

Strengthening STI Treatment and HIV Prevention Services in Carletonville, South Africa

Outreach coordinator, Yodwa Mzaiduma (standing, fourth woman from right) with peer educators. Photo Credit: Johannes van Dam

Although knowledge about HIV/AIDS is very high in South Africa, adult HIV prevalence is also very high, indicating high levels of risky sexual behavior. Understanding the gap between knowledge and behavior requires an examination of the social context in which the epidemic occurs. The Horizons Program, in collaboration with the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African Institute for Medical Research (SAIMR), and the London School of Economics (LSE) conducted an intervention study in the Carletonville area to study the social determinants of the HIV epidemic and to assess the impact of a targeted program of HIV and STI prevention and service delivery.

In 1998, the Mothusimpilo (“working together for health”) Intervention Project (MIP) was launched by the study partners to reduce community prevalence of HIV and other STIs and to sustain those reductions through enhanced prevention and STI treatment services. Carletonville includes many migrant mine workers and is characterized by significant poverty and unemployment, the presence of sex work, and high rates of STIs. To address HIV/AIDS in the entire community, MIP targets population groups where high-risk sexual behavior is thought to be common.

The project is managed by a board that includes representatives from the local, provincial, and national governments; representatives from the Carletonville AIDS Action Committee, a community-based AIDS organization; mining companies; trade unions; and research organizations.

This research summary focuses on study findings about sex workers because of their vulnerability to STIs and HIV infection and their perceived importance within Carletonville’s sexual networks, linking miners to men in the broader community.

• Research Interventions
• Methods and Characteristics of the Samples
• Key Findings
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• PDF Format of Summary (82 KB)

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Mothusimpilo Intervention Project team of Solly Moema, Yodwa Mzaidume and Bareng Rasego. The data collection was conducted by Progressus cc.

For more information, please contact Lewis Ndhlovu (lndhlovu@pcjoburg.org.za) or Catherine Searle (csearle@pcjoburg.org.za).

Suggested citation: Ndhlovu, Lewis, Catherine Searle, and Johannes Van Dam. 2004. “Strengthening STI treatment and HIV prevention services in Carletonville, South Africa,” Horizons Research Summary. Washington, DC: Population Council.

About Horizons

Horizons conducts global operations research to improve prevention, care, and support program. Horizons is implemented by the Population Council under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Horizons is implemented by the Population Council in partnership with the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Tulane University, Family Health International (FHI), and Johns Hopkins University.

© 2004 The Population Council, Inc.

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This page updated 1 November 2005

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