HIV and AIDS recommended readings
A public health approach to antiretroviral treatment: overcoming constraints. (Perspectives and practice in antiretroviral treatment)
Tackling the issues in antiretroviral treatment
Authors:
; WHO
Publisher:
World Health Organization , 2003
This publication reviews the experiences of ARV programmes already underway in countries with very severe HIV epidemics but with constrained resources, as in most of Africa and part of the Caribbean. The publication aims to show how some of the key policy issues for scaling up HIV/AIDS treatment have been dealt with and to identify common elements that should be considered by everyone seeking to provide HIV/AIDS care on a significant scale.
Conclusions:
- ARV programmes now underway in developing countries have successfully capitalised on existing resources and infrastructure through the use of standardised treatment regimens, simplified monitoring procedures and making use of available human resources, including communities and family members
- the involvement of affected communities in treatment programmes has catalysed HIV prevention, and several programmes have demonstrated increased awareness, less stigma, more use of testing and counselling services and increased condom use
- treatment is beginning to mobilise groups of people living with HIV/AIDS as both agents for prevention and sources of support for their community and peers
- what is needed now is a continued political commitment for action
