18. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment

The HIV prevention success stories highlighted in this chapter stem in part from each country's unique cultural, historical, and infrastructural elements. Nevertheless, these successes share several common features, thereby offering potential guidance for the development and implementation of prevention strategies in other settings. These features include:

• high-level political leadership

• active engagement of civil society and religious leaders in a multisectoral approach

• population-based programs designed to change social norms

• increased open communication about sexual activities and HIV/AIDS

• programs to combat stigma and discrimination

• condom promotion

• STI surveillance and control

• interventions targeting key "bridge" populations—populations that transmit the virus from high-risk to low-risk groups.

Source: Authors.