Despite education campaigns and increased condom use, HIV is still increasing. Why aren these programmes effective?
The AIDS prevention programmes that have been implemented have had an effect in reducing the severity of the epidemic. Many people have changed their behavior to stick with one faithful partner. Many others have adopted condom use, and others are seeking treatment for other sexually transmitted diseases. One study estimated that increased condom use alone has saved hundreds of thousands of people from HIV infection in Kenya (Stover and Baltazar 1998). So these programmes have had an effect. Unfortunately, they have not been widespread or effective enough to prevent all new infections. In fact, the number of infected people is still increasing. Only a much expanded prevention programme, with participation from all sectorsgovernment, NGOs, the private sector, religious groups, churches, professional organizations, community groupswill be successful in reducing the number of infected people in the future.
