Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AIDS. PREVENTION: GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Epidemiology of AIDS: Expression, Occurrence, and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection. Kaslow RA and Francis DP, eds. New York, Oxford University Press, p. 253-65, 1989.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90668122 Francis DP; Kaslow RA; Dept. of Health Services, State of California, 2151 Berkeley Way,; Berkeley, CA 94704
Abstract:
Nearly all transmission of HIV-1 around the world could be stopped if people at risk learned how to avoid infection and behaved accordingly. Well-designed public health programs can impart the knowledge, motivation, and skills necessary to prevent individuals from becoming infected. The essential elements of a community AIDS prevention program are discussed, including responsibility and approach; program components (surveillance, evaluation, intervention, and preventive measures); and education/intervention. Intervention programs targeted at homosexual men, hemophiliacs, iv drug users, transfusion recipients, sexually transmitted disease patients, prostitutes, health care workers, and persons living in geographic 'hot spots' are discussed. Voluntary programs aimed at changing individual behavior, together with government-mandated programs such as screening of blood, are required in all at-risk communities around the world. Places where persons at increased risk for HIV-1 infection can be reached include correctional facilities, family planning and prenatal clinics, HIV testing centers, and prevention/treatment centers. Special issues facing an AIDS prevention program are the role of broad serologic testing, partner notification ethics, and the problem of confidentiality and privacy concerning the AIDS diagnosis. The means of preventing the spread of AIDS are simple. However, because prevention requires changes in human behavior and because discussion of sexual and iv drug-using behaviors are extremely difficult for many people, the process of counseling infected persons and protecting uninfected ones may be delicate and complex. Public health and medical professionals must convince political leaders that, with institutional guidance and support, individuals can stop the further spread of HIV-1. (14 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/ TRANSMISSION Disease Outbreaks/*PREVENTION & CONTROL Health Education/METHODS Human HIV Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION HIV-1/*PATHOGENICITY Population Surveillance Risk Factors Sexual Partners Substance Abuse, Intravenous/PREVENTION & CONTROL MONOGRAPH REVIEW
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
