摘要:An estimated 22.5 million people (including 2.3 million children) were living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2009. It is furthermore estimated that approximately 1.3 million Africans died of AIDS in 2009. According to the South African National HIV Survey of 2008, it is estimated that 10.9% of South Africans older than two years are living with HIV/AIDS, and among those between the ages of 15 and 49 years the estimated HIV prevalence is 16.9%. These figures remain staggering and it therefore comes as no surprise that the impact and effect of HIV/AIDS are no longer limited to mortality rates and illnesses but are actually widespread and influence all aspects of our everyday lives. The health care sector, households, schools, workplaces and the economy - all of these are experiencing distinct challenges due to the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, and appropriate action must therefore be taken to deal with these challenges in their different contexts.