AFRO-NETS> Unsafe sex still main cause of HIV infection

[Dieter Neuvians MD <neuvians@mweb.co.za>]

Unsafe sex still main cause of HIV infection
--------------------------------------------

Source: Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)

JOHANNESBURG, 20 February (PLUSNEWS) - New research findings suggest-
ing that unsafe medical practices are the main cause of HIV transmis-
sion have been rejected by medical experts in South Africa.

They insist that unsafe sex continues to be the main cause of infec-
tion.

The controversy began when a team of eight researchers from three 
countries who reviewed data on HIV infection in Africa estimated only 
about a third of adult cases are sexually transmitted. They said 
healthcare practices, especially contaminated medical injections, 
could also be a major cause.

The findings, reported in the International Journal of STD and AIDS, 
contradict widely-held views about the spread of the HI virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) currently estimates 5 percent of 
all global HIV infections are through unsafe medical care and injec-
tions. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 2.5 percent of new infections were 
attributed to this, Dr George Schmid, a research scientist at the WHO 
HIV/AIDS Unit, told PlusNews.

"The authors of the paper have raised an interesting point that has 
not been seriously addressed in recent years. But whatever the pro-
portion, 5 or 60 percent we should all be working towards ending un-
safe injections," Schmid said.

But, he added, "the most important message we should not lose sight 
of is that unsafe sex is still the leading cause of HIV infection."

South Africa's Medical Research Council (MRC) doubted the study find-
ings. "Its an important issue that should not be ignored, but the ex-
tent of it has been over represented," Dr Debbie Bradshaw, director 
of the MRC's Burden of Disease research unit, told PlusNews.

The researchers had ignored sexual behaviour and looked at unsafe 
medical care in isolation, she said.

WHO will be holding meetings with the researchers and other medical 
experts next month, to "come up with a consensus and a way forward 
from this," Schmid noted.

"In the meantime, the population can have confidence in the health 
system, particularly in South Africa," he added. [ENDS]


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2003

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