Victims of sexual assaults are routinely tested for HIV in order to discover if they require prophylaxis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among survivors of sexual assault attending a large peri-urban health facility in KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa. Data from the medical records of the available 534 sexual assault cases that attended the facility between 2005 and 2009 were extracted and reviewed: 19.7% tested HIV positive and HIV prevalence among the survivors over the 5 years increased from 15% in 2005 to 19% in 2009. Screening sexual assault survivors for HIV provides a good opportunity to identify those who will benefit from HIV prophylaxis and HIV-infected persons who need HIV care and treatment.
Keywords: HIV prevalence; HIV prophylaxis; HIV/AIDS; South Africa; sexual assault.