Objectives. To estimate the annual numbers of individuals
receiving antiretroviral treatment in South Africa up to mid-
2008, and the coverage of antiretroviral treatment in adults
according to various definitions of need.
Methods. Antiretroviral coverage is defined as the number
of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment at a point in time, divided by the number needing treatment. Numbers of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment are estimated from public sector data, and data provided by disease management programmes and NGO programmes. The unmet need for treatment in adults is estimated using a Markov model of HIV progression in adults, combined with estimates of annual new HIV infections from a national AIDS and demographic model.
Results. By the middle of 2008, 568 000 adults and children
were receiving antiretroviral treatment in South Africa, with the public health sector accounting for 79% of this total. Using the current Department of Health criteria for defining antiretroviral eligibility (CD4+ count