A study conducted by the South African Medical Research Council reports women in abusive relationships are at a higher risk of becoming infected with HIV.
 
Researchers found South African women in unequal relationships, compared to those who had more equality in their relationships, had a higher rate of HIV infection.
 
These findings have leg researchers to believe nearly 14% of HIV infections can be prevented by addressing such inequalities in relationships, while preventing physical or sexual abuse of women could foil 12% of new infections.
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups are being called upon by the South African Medical Research Council for developing and widely implementing policies and programmes aimed at building gender equality and preventing domestic violence.
 
Elsewhere, Samuel Mayer, a Scottish healthcare specialist is using the World Cup to offer hope to over 1,000 HIV and AIDS infected South African children.
 
Through the Grassroot Soccer project, Mayer, who wears his trademark kilt at every game, has been able to help hundreds of the country’s poorest children attend World Cup matches for free.
 
The Grassroots Soccer programme uses sport to help children escape poverty and provides HIV risk education, in the football-mad continent.
 
Grassroot Soccer introduced in Zimbabwe in 2002 has expanded into 17 countries.