Prevention Strategies Of HIV Prevention

4. Prevention Strategies

Since the early 1980’s many countries have attempted to prevent the spread of HIV [17]. Africa, where there is poverty, lack of resources and weak infrastructure, is the continent worst affected by HIV and AIDS [17]. Many prevention strategies aim to educate people about HIV and reduce the overall number of transmissions, these efforts have seen a positive result in some areas of the world, especially developed countries [17]. Treatment as prevention (TASP) is a term that describes the use of antiretroviral treatment to decrease the chance of HIV transmission [17]. TASP includes section 4.1, 4.2 and 4.4. Using ARV’s to prevent HIV infection can have severe consequences such as side-effects and drug-resistance of the

A microbicide for HIV would be applied to the vagina or the rectum to prevent the initial events in mucosal transmission of HIV, however this does not exist outside of clinical trials yet [23]. Microbicides can be in the form of gels, capsules, tablets, films and intravaginal rings [24]. An HIV microbicide would have many advantages over other preventative strategies. However, all forms of HIV transmission would not be prevented by a microbicide and would require regular reapplication of the microbicide [23]. An effective microbicide must be made into a commodity that people use regularly such as hand sanitizer [23]. Statistics indicate that other methods of prevention such as condoms, male circumcision, and behavioural interventions are not enough to protect a women, thus a microbicide for HIV could be the key method of HIV prevention [24]. Although, many difficulties, discussed subsequently, arise in the development of a microbicide vaccine.

Many chemicals can kill HIV, however a microbicide requires something that kills HIV and simultaneously does not cause discomfort to the person applying the microbicide. Furthermore, is the uncertainty of how a microbicide might affect sperm and a woman’s reproductive health [23].

4.3.1 Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Pharmacodynamics (PD) in clinical

To implement effective circumcision programmes VMMC services must be part of an HIV prevention package which incorporates counselling to prevent a couple from having a false sense of security, testing services, well trained practitioners, sterile working conditions, informed consent and confidentiality [26]. VMMC services have made progress in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini reintroduced the practise of circumcision among South African Zulus