Case study South Africa

Updated - Tuesday 22 June 2004

Year of publication: 2004

People living with HIV / AIDS in a context of rural poverty: the importance of water and sanitation services and hygiene education, by Rudzani Kgalushi, Stef Smits and Kathy Eales. January 2004. Johannesburg, South Africa, The Mvula Trust and Delft, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre

In South Africa, HIV/AIDS is approached primarily as a health issue, with interventions focussing on prevention and treatment. The social implications and poverty dimensions are recognised in policy, but not yet translated into practice.

This case study in three villages shows that reliable delivery of good quality water and sound basic sanitation are essential. They reduce exposure to pathogens to which HIV-positive people are particularly vulnerable. Water also helps HIV-AIDS affected families grow healthy food. They help HIV-AIDS patients stay healthy longer and reduce suffering, poverty and the work of care givers.

The authors recommend that the water sector:

pays closer attention to the specific impacts of inadequate services on those who are HIV positive;
co-operates with the health sector to include water and sanitation aspects in preventive education;
co-operates with the agriculture sector to link water with healthy food production;
helps municipalities meet with community groups to address problems in water supply operation and payment and expand access to sound basic sanitation.