Strategies of HIV Prevention in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

The number of people newly infected with HIV is still very high in low and middle-income countries. In these countries, the HIV epidemic is dramatically disrupting both their population structure and economic situation. There is an urgent need to reinforce strategies to prevent HIV transmission. Despite certain successes, HIV prevention strategies have not yet been sufficient to significantly limit HIV propagation. New strategies of HIV prevention have been explored. If certain HIV prevention tools have shown some efficacy, others are still under study. This paper reviews what is known about “traditional” HIV prevention strategies and what has been published about the new strategies for HIV prevention since the early 1990s. For increased efficacy, HIV prevention efforts should be tailored to the socio-cultural and economic contexts, the local type of epidemic and the needs of local population.