Letting Them Die: Why HIV/AIDS Intervention Programmes Fail

Letting Them Die: Why HIV/AIDS Intervention Programmes Fail

Indiana University Press, 601 N. Morton St., Bloomington, IN, 47404-3797. ISBN 0-85255-867-8, 0-85255-868-6pbk. $49.95, $22.95pbk.
Catherine Campbell. 2003.

This book is the result of seven years of collaborative research in the small South African community of Summertown where attention was given to the "social construction of sexuality by migrant mineworkers, commercial sex workers and young people." The book examines sexuality as it pertains to social change with an overriding question: "Why is it that people knowingly engage in sexual behaviour that could lead to a slow and painful premature death?" In addition the book looks at some of the obstacles and challenges facing HIV-prevention programs. With some 1,700 South Africans infected with the AIDS virus every day, it is important that we have an understanding of sexuality as it has been instilled in individuals throughout history.

The book is divided into 4 parts: The Summertown Project; Mobilizing Sex Workers to Prevent HIV; Mobilizing Young People to Prevent HIV; and Mobilizing Stakeholders to Prevent HIV. It is not easy to bring about mobilization efforts. Young people may say they understand but when it comes down to having sex, all that they have heard seems to become blurred and safe sex is ignored. It is extremely important that the stakeholders buy into all programs that target HIV-prevention efforts. The book points out that this is a highly complex task where "communities may often be strongly divided by power differentials, radically different world views and high levels of mistrust." Those in power ultimately "portray HIV/AIDS as somebody else's problem" and in the process they essentially say, "Let them die." This is an important book for researchers who are trying to develop new intervention programs to fight AIDS. It is recommended for all academic libraries.

Keywords: South Africa; Prevention
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