HIV Prevention and Research Considerations for Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moving toward Biobehavioral Prevention Strategies
Abstract
This paper addresses current and emerging HIV prevention strategies for women in Sub-Saharan Africa, in light of recent trial results and ongoing research. What are the major opportunities and challenges for widespread implementation of new and emerging HIV prevention strategies? The paper discusses the major individual, social and structural factors that underpin women’s disproportionate risk for HIV infection, with attention to gender, adolescents as a vulnerable population, and the need to engage men. Also, the influence of these factors on the ultimate success of both behavioral and biomedical HIV prevention technologies for women in sub-Saharan Africa is discussed. Finally, the paper examined how the new and emerging biobehavioral prevention strategies served as tools to empower women to adopt healthy HIV preventive and reproductive health behaviors. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[3]: 17-24)
Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa, biobehavioral prevention, HIV, gender, adolescents
Résumé
Cet article traite des stratégies actuelles et émergentes de la prévention du VIH en faveur des femmes en Afrique sub-saharienne, à la lumière des résultats des essais et des recherches récentes en cours. Quels sont les principaux défis et opportunités pour la mise en œuvre généralisée des stratégies nouvelles et émergentes de la prévention du VIH? L’article examine les facteurs individuels, sociaux et structurels majeurs qui sous-tendent un risque disproportionné des femmes pour l'infection du VIH, tout en consacrant l’attention aux sexes, aux adolescents comme une population vulnérable, et la nécessité de faire participer les hommes. En outre, l'influence de ces facteurs sur le succès ultime de ces deux technologies de la prévention comportementales et biomédicales du VIH pour les femmes en Afrique sub-saharienne est discutée. Enfin, le document examine la façon dont les stratégies nouvelles et émergentes de la prévention ont servi d'outils à l'autonomisation des femmes à adopter de bons comportements de la prévention et de santé de la reproduction contre le VIH. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[3]: 17-24)
Mots-clés: Afrique sub-saharienne, prévention comportementale, VIH, sexe, adolescents
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