TITLE

Prevention of HIV/AIDS in South Africa: a review of behaviour change interventions, evidence and options for the future

AUTHOR(S)

Harrison, A.; Smit, J.A.; Myer, L.

PUB. DATE

June 2000

SOURCE

South African Journal of Science;Jun2000, Vol. 96 Issue 6, p285

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

IT IS UNLIKELY THAT AN EFFECTIVE VACCINE against HIV infection will be widely available in the next 10 years, and even less likely that a cure will be found in this time. Affordable therapies that can be widely used are still not available and so behaviour change remains the only viable means of limiting the further spread of HIV infection. Currently, about one in four women attending ante-natal clinics in South Africa is infected with HIV, which translates into about 10% of the entire population. Women aged 20 to 30 years are the worst-affected group in South Africa, and the incidence of infection is highest in women between 15 and 30 years of age. Studies around the world have shown that behaviour interventions including information, education and communication programmes, condom promotion and behaviour change initiatives that encourage people to reduce the number of their sexual partners can bring about a reduction in high-risk sexual behaviour. Delaying the age of sexual initiation and abstaining from sex have also met with success, specifically in young people. In South Africa, public education through mass media has contributed to high levels of awareness about HIV/AIDS. In addition, some interventions have been targeted at specific risk groups. The continuing increase in infection rates suggests that these efforts have been too limited or perhaps not effective on a broad enough scale to achieve a significant public health impact. Future efforts should target the highest risk groups, especially among women, with an emphasis on interventions that develop negotiation and decision-making skills, address gender imbalances, and locate HIV prevention in the context of people's lives. This paper reviews the available evidence concerning behaviour change programmes and evaluates their effectiveness in South Africa. Criteria are proposed for innovative behavioural prevention strategies and priorities in future research.

ACCESSION #

3476811

Tags: BEHAVIORAL assessment;  HIV (Viruses) -- Prevention;  AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention;  CONDOMS

 

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