The consequences of failed HIV prevention strategies: The ongoing challenges for societies
1 Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; University of Luebeck, UKSH, Campus Luebeck, Germany.
2 Centre for European and International Criminal Law Studies (ZEIS), University of Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 11(03), 391–398
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2021.11.3.0469
Publication history:
Received on 18 August 2021; revised on 19 September 2021; accepted on 21 September 2021
Abstract:
The spread of HIV in Europe is still ongoing. The established HIV prevention strategies base on structured goals to promote a behavior preventing HIV transmission, complemented by the provision of antiretroviral treatment. If followed by those people concerned, these multifactorial prevention strategies should encourage individual behavior that avoids HIV transmission in various ways, supplemented by medical help for people who are already HIV-infected.
Both national and international institutions have pointed to those who present late after being infected with HIV, the undiagnosed late presenters – who unknowingly may contribute to the spread of HIV. There are already initiatives for adjustments to the prevention strategies. In this context, reference is made to the burdens on societies.
In addition to the established prevention strategies, we propose the introduction of contact tracing. This measure could help reach and support people of the officially defined key populations to obey the prevention measures. This array might have a synergetic effect to contain the spread of HIV, thereby reducing the burden for societies.
A juridical analysis clarifies the handling of the term discrimination. Discrimination begins where a person is penalized because they are infected or ill. However, anyone who intentionally or negligently transmits HIV to unknowing people damages a person's health and this person is therefore also held criminally responsible in all legal systems. The so-called anti-discrimination concepts in the field of criminal law must not lose sight of this distinction.
Keywords:
HIV infection; Prevention strategy; Behavior; Burden for societies
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Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0