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Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in developing countries.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Merson, MH; Dayton, JM; O'Reilly, K
Published in: AIDS
September 2000

OBJECTIVE: To review the effectiveness of projects and programs in developing countries that aim to reduce sexual transmission of HIV infection or transmission related to injection drug use. DESIGN: We identified 34 published studies undertaken in 18 developing countries that met rigorous inclusion criteria. These criteria included the length of follow-up, use of statistical analysis, the inclusion of a comparison group, and type of outcomes measured. RESULTS: We found that behavioral change interventions are effective when targeted to populations at high risk, particularly female sex workers and their clients. Few studies have evaluated harm reduction interventions in injecting drug users (IDUs). Evidence on the effectiveness of voluntary counseling and testing programs was promising, and VCT was most effective when directed at discordant couples. Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) appears highly effective in reducing HIV/STD transmission, particularly in the earlier stages of the epidemic. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates that HIV prevention interventions can be effective in changing risk behaviors and preventing transmission in low and middle-income countries. When the appropriate mix of interventions is applied, they can lead to significant reductions in the prevalence of HIV at the national level. Additional research is needed to identify effective interventions, particularly in men who have sex with men, youth, IDUs and HIV-infected persons. Structural and environmental interventions show great promise, although more evaluation is needed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AIDS

ISSN

0269-9370

Publication Date

September 2000

Volume

14 Suppl 2

Start / End Page

S68 / S84

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Virology
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Risk-Taking
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion
  • HIV Infections
  • Developing Countries
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
 

Citation

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Merson, M. H., Dayton, J. M., & O’Reilly, K. (2000). Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in developing countries. AIDS, 14 Suppl 2, S68–S84.
Merson, M. H., J. M. Dayton, and K. O’Reilly. “Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in developing countries.AIDS 14 Suppl 2 (September 2000): S68–84.
Merson MH, Dayton JM, O’Reilly K. Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in developing countries. AIDS. 2000 Sep;14 Suppl 2:S68–84.
Merson, M. H., et al. “Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in developing countries.AIDS, vol. 14 Suppl 2, Sept. 2000, pp. S68–84.
Merson MH, Dayton JM, O’Reilly K. Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in developing countries. AIDS. 2000 Sep;14 Suppl 2:S68–S84.

Published In

AIDS

ISSN

0269-9370

Publication Date

September 2000

Volume

14 Suppl 2

Start / End Page

S68 / S84

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Virology
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Risk-Taking
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion
  • HIV Infections
  • Developing Countries
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences