Every cent counts with Aids

2004-07-13 10:15

Marietie Louw

Johannesburg - South Africans will be using less soap within the next eight years because of the impact of HIV/Aids on society.

This is according to a recent study by Professor Carel van Aardt of the University of South Africa's bureau of market research.

His research showed that there would be a 13% drop in the total consumption of soap products by 2012.

"People will use every cent to carry their medical costs because of HIV/Aids and funeral costs," the report claimed.

The study showed that spending on shoes and clothes would drop by 13.5%, while 12% less would be spent on handbags.

The impact of HIV/Aids on the sale of printed items such as newspapers and magazines would result in a 12% drop in sales between now and 2012.

The biggest reason for this drop is that people who read newspapers and magazines fall into the category of those who will die because of Aids-related diseases.

"Families will focus more on covering medical costs than on printed items."

The direct influence of HIV/Aids on households will become visible because of the unavailability of funds for education. There will also be less money for better housing and paraffin for lighting.

The study showed that households in Limpopo that were affected by HIV/Aids last year already spent 50% less on paraffin than households not affected by the virus.

Households with HIV/Aids already spent 10.5% less on soap, 1.5% less on alcohol and 10.2% less on food compared to households not affected by the disease.

Van Aardt found that the part of the health department's budget devoted to HIV/Aids will increase by between 34% and 75% by 2008.

- Sake