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Government to re-evaluate AIDS prevention strategy

    JOHANNESBURG

    The South African government could soon re-evaluate its HIV/AIDS prevention strategy after a recent conference revealed "worrying gaps" in its campaign to reduce high-risk sexual behaviour, a local newspaper, Business Day, reported.

    Olive Shisana, head of the Human Sciences Research Council's AIDS programme, said substance abuse accounted for 5 percent of new HIV infections, as it lowered inhibitions and exposed people to high-risk behaviour.

    She said it was critical to look at risk factors that were not part of the traditional prevention strategy, to help curb the number of new HIV infections.

    The government's present strategy concentrates on promoting safe sex without examining what motivates high-risk behaviour.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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