[afro-nets] HAART alone not enough to stop spread of HIV (2)

[Isiah Mwangi <imwangi@kilifi.mimcom.net>]

HAART alone not enough to stop spread of HIV (2)
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In reply to the investigators, we need to be careful the way we
interpret this. To my understanding the WHO 3 by 5 initiative is
not in any way an efficacy study on interrupting HIV transmis-
sion. It would even be unethical to do such a study!! The ini-
tiative is to make ARV's more available to those infected with
an aim of reducing the deaths. Availability of ARV should not at
all affect the other HIV control measures already in place like
use of condoms or STI treatment. For example a person on ARV is
also advised to practise safe sex (or avoid sex if possible). I
believe the availability of ARV will make populations more re-
ceptive to other HIV control measures because they will see that
something is being done to reduce deaths even in those already
infected.

Dr I. N. Mwangi
Clinical reseacher
Kenya Medical Research Institute
mailto:imwangi@kilifi.mimcom.net