South Africa has a high tuberculosis (TB) burden, including many people with undetected TB in the community. There is a high burden of TB in men rather than females.  According to the new TB Prevalence Survey released on Friday, an estimated prevalence of TB in South Africa is 737 per 100 000 population. Men, the elderly, 65-years and older, and people in the age groups 35 – 44 years are least able to access TB services.

The Human Sciences Research Council’s Dr Sizulu Moyo said the aim of the survey was to enhance TB control in the South After by informing the National TB Control Programme.