Exploring the challenges of evidence-based HIV and AIDS prevention interventions in Africa.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges associated with evidence-based interventions in HIV prevention in Africa. New technologies are being developed and tried in Africa to reduce HIV infection and to treat people living with HIV and AIDS. The HIV prevention clinical trials are conducted in selected African countries. Some of the countries that participate in HIV prevention clinical trials are Benin, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The sponsors of HIV prevention research are looking for better and safer methods that could be developed to improve current healthcare products used in HIV prevention and treatment. The study surveyed the challenges associated with HIV prevention technologies highlighting both positive indicators of success and negative indicators of technology failure. Attendant health risks associated with prevention failure are discussed. Direction for future studies could focus on HIV risk reduction in clinical trials.