HIV Prevention: The Key to Ending AIDS by 2030

Abstract

There is no viable substitute for re-energizing, funding and supporting culturally attuned, locally staffed HIV advocacy and prevention programmes, especially in resource poor settings. The evidence that such interventions are effective remains compelling; and although the cost implications are not negligible, the medium to long-term outcomes must be regarded not as complementary, but as integral, to biomedical interventions. The success of the anti-retroviral drugs upscale has enabled a noticeable improvement in AIDS related morbidity and mortality in the recent years; yet the underlying dynamics of the epidemic remains undetermined by the rate at which new infections are taking place in relation to the number of AIDS deaths. While the rate of new HIV infections is stabilising in some of the hardest hit countries, it remains far too high and the future cost of maintaining an ever-expanding pool of people reliant on daily drugs for survival is unsustainable. Countries must exercise caution in continuing to focus on treatment as a ‘quick fix’ to end AIDS as a public health concern. HIV is a socially culturally induced crisis and, as such, a variety of measures are needed simultaneously to appeal to different people, groups and circumstances.

The Interplay of HIV and Autophagy in Early Infection

“…Most new infections and deaths are caused by HIV-1 subtype. Advances in science, accumulated experience in the field, along with active community and political commitment, mean that the public health threat of the HIV pandemic could be over by 2030, but there are still many social, economic and healthcare obstacles and inequalities to overcome (Colvin, 2011;UNAIDS, 2015;Poku, 2016). Due to active ART and associated medical achievements, the scientific community considers HIV/AIDS a chronic disease, mainly when access to effective care is assured (Forsyth and Valdiserri, 2012;McGrath et al, 2014).…”

Effect of clients Strategic Index Case Testing on community-based detection of HIV infections (STRICT study)

“…In other to achieve this, the approach to testing must be strategic and be able to identify high-risk groups such as sexual partners of index positive clients (Rutstein et al, 2014;Mackellar et al, 2009). Strategically identifying and offering HTS to sexual partners of index PLHIVs is important to reduce new infection rates toward ending HIV/AIDS in 2030 (UNAIDS, 2014;Poku, 2016).…”

Effects of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive adults on new HIV infections among young women: a systematic review protocol

“…Preventing new HIV infection is a critical component of the global response to the epidemic [44]. The body of evidence supporting the efficacy of TasP is expanding quickly.…”