Prevention

Prevention programmes remain the cornerstone of worldwide efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. Because HIV/AIDS has no vaccine or cure thus far, most energy in South Africa has been put into developing prevention programmes that attempt to stop people contracting HIV/AIDS. The success of these programmes has been mixed. Although the incidence of infection appears to be stabilising in South Africa, this may be more to do with the nature of the HIV epidemic than the efforts of prevention programmes.

Generally, HIV prevention requires a multi-faceted approach. HIV prevention measures begin with the individual and his/her lifestyle choices, including abstinence, faithfulness and safe sex, and protecting others if already HIV infected. But communities also play an active part in HIV prevention, including the destigmatisation of the virus and support of those that are HIV-positive. Finally, the health care system and legal framework need to aid those who are at risk of HIV-infection, or infecting others.