Speaking in her budget debate in the national assembly, Tshabalala-Msimang said a survey that would be released soon would show that the prevalence of HIV had decreased in the past two years.

She said the preliminary findings of the latest survey of HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics, demonstrated a downward trend in HIV prevalence.

"The 2007 survey shows that HIV prevalence has decreased from an estimated 29.2 percent in 2006 to 28.0 percent in 2007," she said.

"HIV prevalence in the 15-19 years age group dropped from 13.7 percent in 2006 to 12.9 percent in 2007; in addition, a decrease was observed in the 25-29 years age group from 38.7 percent in 2006 to 37.9 percent in 2007.

"The rate in the 20-24 years group was stable between 2006-2007," she said.

Taken together, these figures suggested a trend of decreasing HIV prevalence overall, she added.

She attributed the encouraging trend to intensive prevention campaigns that were beginning to make a difference in reducing HIV infection.