HIV and Other Sexual Transmitted Infections—Challenges for Liberal Prevention Strategies

Abstract

Many countries use similar strategies in prevention campaigns, but despite that the spread of HIV is unabated. The basic messages of the current liberal prevention strategies aim to promote changes in individual behaviour so as to prevent HIV transmission. The strategies avoid any kind of regulation, prescription and controls, and trust solely on the readiness of the sexually active part of the general population, and in particular the "at-risk populations" to cooperate with those messages. However, only a small number of people have cooperated. The increase in the incidence of HIV over the past decade in the countries listed discloses the failures of the current prevention strategies. With respect to the goal of trying to influence those people prone to high-risk sexual lifestyles, and the injecting drug users, the prevention strategies have not had a meaningful effect in the long term. This is also reflected in the increase of other STIs such as hepatitis C, syphilis, and the human papilloma virus, which are worse when there is co-infection with HIV. The liberal prevention strategies turned out to be inadequate for the goal, and must be adjusted to real life situations to counteract their misuse. Meanwhile there are ample evidence-based measures which must be implemented into concerted efforts by complementing the current strategies with respect to a person-to-person bound infection. Medical care policies have to consider the non-adherence behaviour of those in need.