Spatial Clustering of All-Cause and HIV-Related Mortality in a Rural South African Population (2000-2006).

CONCLUSIONS: HIV-related and all-cause mortality exhibit strong spatial clustering tendencies in this population. Highest HIV-related mortality and all-cause mortality occurred in the peri-urban communities along the National Road and was lowest in the urban township and remote rural communities. The geography of HIV-related mortality corresponded closely to the geography of HIV prevalence, with the notable exception of the urban township where high HIV-related mortality would have been expected on the basis of the high HIV prevalence. Our results suggest that HIV treatment and care programmes should be strengthened in easy-to-reach high density, peri-urban populations near National Roads where both HIV-related and all-cause mortality are highest. PMID: 23935972 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Rural Remote Health - Category: Rural Health Authors: Tags: PLoS One Source Type: research