Redpeg: HIV/AIDS Newsletter: August 2011

Issue 5, August 2011

Dear (Contact First Name),

Welcome to the fifth issue of the Redpeg HIV/AIDS Newsletter. In this issue we lead with the recent government announcement that all people with HIV with CD4 counts below 350 are now eligible for anti-retroviral treatment. We also look at Pre-Exposure Prohylaxis (PrEP) and the findings from two studies that show that it will protect women from HIV. In addition, we look at a report on the growing popularity of female condoms. Lastly, we check out a website that invites public consultation on the new National Strategic Plan for HIV & AIDS, STIs and TB (NSP).

Sincerely,

Tim Boshoff
Redpeg

In this issue...

All people with HIV with CD4 counts below 350 are now eligible for antiretroviral treatment

Pre-exposure prophylaxis does work for women, two studies find

HIV/AIDS: Female condoms slowly gaining popularity

HIV and AIDS Plan: Public Consultation

Redpeg Training Schedule 2011

All people with HIV with CD4 counts below 350 are now eligible for antiretroviral treatment

Civil society has been calling for this policy change since the antiretroviral treatment guidelines were last updated. It is a measure that will improve the quality of life of many people with HIV, reduce mortality and reduce new infections. Until today, the guidelines only provided for treatment for people with CD4 counts below 350 cells/mm3 if they were pregnant or had active TB. All other patients had to wait until their CD4 counts fell below 200 cells/mm3.

Click here to read more

Pre-exposure prophylaxis does work for women, two studies find

Two studies of the use of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in heterosexual people show that oral PrEP will protect women against HIV.

The 6th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2011) in Rome heard the additional data from two trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis in heterosexuals yesterday. First results from these trials, the Partners PrEP trial and the TDF2 trial, were announced on Wednesday, 13 July. This was when the placebo arm of the Partners trial was closed well in advance of the planned ending date as it was realised that there were many more infections in this arm than in people taking antiretroviral PrEP.

Click here to read more

HIV/AIDS: Female condoms slowly gaining popularity

Long seen as the ugly step-child of HIV prevention, the female condom seems to be gaining popularity through grassroots campaigns, according to a new report by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

"For the fourth consecutive year, access to female condoms has increased dramatically, reaching a record number of 50 million... in 2009," the report states.

Click here to read more

HIV and AIDS Plan: Public Consultation

A website has been set up to facilitate public consultation around the new National Strategic Plan for HIV & AIDS, STIs and TB (NSP). The NSP provides guidance to government and civil society on how to address HIV & AIDS, STIs and TB in South Africa. To ensure the inclusion of as many voices as possible in the development of the next NSP (2012-2016), contributions are invited from:

individuals from the general public
nongovernmental organizations including NGOs, donor agencies
private sector
leaders and experts in HIV & AIDs, STIs and TB

You can download and provide comments on the current NSP draft at www.hivplan.org.za. You can also sign-up to receive regular updates via email and sms.

Redpeg Training Schedule 2011

Redpeg is offering the following fully accredited public HIV/AIDS training programmes from August-November 2011. Please contact Sandra Ncube at 011 476 5355 or sandra@redpeg.co.za for a quotation if you are interested in the programmes below:

Training programme name (please click on hyperlink for more info)	Unit standard(s)	Location	Dates
HIV/AIDS basic awareness training (3-hour session, on-site training)	Not unit standards based	Available nationally	On-site training: email sandra@redpeg.co.za to book
HIV/AIDS peer educator (3-day training)	US8555	Cape Town	07 - 09 November 2011
		Durban	31 October - 02 November 2011
		Johannesburg	03 - 05 October 2011 07 - 09 November 2011
		Port Elizabeth	13 - 15 September 2011
HIV/AIDS counsellor (4-day training)	US 12463 US 13203	Cape Town	05 - 08 September 2011; 21 - 24 November 2011
		Durban	29 August - 01 September 2011; 14 - 17 November 2011
		Johannesburg	05 - 08 September 2011; 21 - 24 November 2011
		Port Elizabeth	03 - 06 October 2011
HIV/AIDS, the law & the workplace (3-day training)	US 116921 US 116948	Cape Town	26 - 28 September 2011; 14 - 16 November 2011
		Durban	19 - 21 September 2011; 07 - 09 November 2011
		Johannesburg	26 - 28 September 2011; 14 - 16 November 2011
		Port Elizabeth	28 - 30 November 2011
HIV/AIDS coordinator (5-day training)	US13915 US 9224 US 116921 US 116948	Johannesburg	12 - 16 September 2011
HIV/AIDS training for managers (Half-day training)	Not unit standards based	Cape Town	10 November 2011
		Durban	03 November 2011
		Johannesburg	10 November 2011
		Port Elizabeth	16 September 2011

International Women's Day 2011 Message from UNAIDS Executive Director

On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, UNAIDS Executive Director congratulates women and girls, but also outlines the work that still needs to be done for women and girls affected by the HIV epidemic.

International Women's Day 2011 Message from UNAIDS Executive Director

Free condoms up for grabs	Come and collect free condoms for your workplace at the Redpeg Johannesburg office Just to let you know we still have a large supply of condoms which your company can collect from our office in Johannesburg. Just phone Sandra or Tim to arrange for collection, and you can get up to 1000 free condoms for your workplace.