Research: Halting HIV

8 February 2006

A rare case of declining HIV prevalence has been seen in eastern Zimbabwe.

HIV/AIDS continues to cut a swath through sub-Saharan Africa. Only in Uganda has there been any sign that HIV is being checked. Now, though, research from Simon Gregson and colleagues suggests that Zimbabwe may also be turning the corner.

Dr Gregson's team has been following a cohort of adults in eastern Zimbabwe. Between 1998 and 2003, the prevalence of HIV infection fell in all four socioeconomic groups studied, with the biggest changes seen in men aged 17 to 29 years (fall from 10.6 per cent to 8.1 per cent, a decline of 23 per cent) and in women aged 15 to 24 years (fall from 15.9 per cent to 8.0 per cent, a decline of 49 per cent).

The team also found evidence of changes in reported sexual behaviour. Teenage men and women started having sex later, and the numbers of men and women engaging in casual sexual relationships declined, suggesting that the drop in HIV prevalence is due to behavioural change (though the deaths of people infected with HIV has also had an impact).

As the data from antenatal clinics within the study area tally with national data, Dr Gregson believes the trend seen in eastern Zimbabwe may be being mirrored across the whole country.

See also

• Gregson S et al. HIV decline associated with behavior change in eastern Zimbabwe. Science 2006;311(5761):664–6.