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Epidemiological and sociological aspects of HIV-infection in developing countries

par Piot, Peter;Carael, Michel
Référence British Medical Bulletin, 44, 1, page (68-88)
Publication Publié, 1988

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

Major epidemic foci of AIDS and HIV infection are presently occurring in Africa and the Caribbean. The epidemiological features of HIV infection in Africa are strikingly distinct from those in Europe. Heterosexual activity is the mahor mode of transmission, as illustrated by a female to male case ratio approaching 1:1. The disease is also spread by blood tranfusions, prenatally from infected mothers to their neonates, and probably also by contamined injections. Reported seroprevalence rates forHIV antibody in the general population of sub-Saharan Africa vary between 0.5 and 1.8%, and between 8-88% in high risk groups, such as female prostitutes. Infection with HIV related human retroviruses (HIV-2) has recently appeared in West Africa, and seems to spread in the same risk groups as HIV. Patterns of spread of HIV infection may widely vary from one area to another, with prostitutes playing a major role in some countries. © 1988 The British Council.