The public health implications of AIDS research in Africa
K. M. De Cock, E. Ekpini, E. Gnaore, A. Kadio and H. D. Gayle
Projet RETRO-CI, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(HIV/AIDS) epidemic has led to greatly increased international
collaboration for medical research, mainly epidemiologic in nature, in
Africa. Greater understanding of HIV/AIDS has resulted, and considerable
training and technology transfer have occurred. However, analytic and
descriptive research in countries heavily affected by AIDS has been slow to
turn to assessment of interventions, and practical benefits to those
countries' public health and policies have lagged behind scientific
knowledge. This article considers the public health implications of
selected HIV/AIDS research in sub-Saharan Africa and discusses
opportunities for interventions and more applied research. Topics covered
include HIV testing and its role, surveillance, control of sexually
transmitted diseases, the vulnerability of youth and women, tuberculosis,
HIV/AIDS care, and the inadequacy of resources currently committed to
HIV/AIDS prevention and control in resource-poor countries. Research on
HIV/AIDS in Africa has yielded crucial information but now should
prioritize interventions and their evaluation. Specific goals that might
limit the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in resource-poor countries are
achievable given vision, commitment, and resources.
