AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: implications for health education. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: implications for health education.

AIDS Educ Prev. 1992 Winter;4(4):350-61. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/93112504
Gwede C; McDermott RJ; University of South Florida College of Public Health, Department; of Community and Family Health, Tampa 33612-3805.

Abstract: This paper reviews the current epidemiologic status of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on what is currently understood about the distinctive features of heterosexual transmission in young men, women, and children. Epidemiologic data show that AIDS is transmitted primarily through heterosexual vaginal intercourse. Heterosexual transmission is highlighted both as the principal mode of spread of AIDS in east, central, and southern Africa and as the primary focus for AIDS education and control of the epidemic. The transmission of AIDS, like that of other sexually transmissible diseases, results from sexual behaviors that are rooted in social and cultural values that are not easily changed. The primary risk factors--including multiple sex partners, prostitution, and unprotected intercourse--are examined. The perceived obstacles to control of the epidemic include unfavorable government reactions to the epidemic, poor public knowledge, prevailing sexual attitudes, and reluctance to use condoms. These and other immediate and competing risk factors like unemployment and poverty combine to complicate the task of AIDS education.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION Africa/EPIDEMIOLOGY Cultural Characteristics Female Health Education/METHODS/*STANDARDS Human Incidence Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Male Marriage Prevalence Primary Prevention/METHODS Prostitution Risk Factors Seroepidemiologic Methods Sex Behavior Sexual Partners Social Values JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDepidemiology/prevention&control/transmissionafrica/epidemiologyculturalcharacteristicsfemalehealtheducation/methods/KWDstandardshumanincidenceknowledge,attitudes,practicemalemarriageprevalenceprimaryprevention/methodsprostitutionriskfactorsseroepidemiologicmethodssexbehaviorsexualpartnerssocialvaluesjournalarticle
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M9340775

Copyright © 1993 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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