What prevention programming has proven most effective?
World Vision’s health professionals believe that a holistic approach to HIV prevention is most effective. World Vision encourages the biblical principles of abstinence before — and faithfulness after — marriage to prevent sexual transmission. The organization also provides accurate information about how to reduce the risk of HIV transmission if unhealthy behaviors are chosen. In addition, it addresses HIV and AIDS as part of a comprehensive program within the context of poverty, gender disparities, warfare, lack of education and other challenges. This strategy, also known as the ABC model: Abstinence, Being Faithful and using Condoms — if one spouse is HIV-positive, or if abstinence and faithfulness are not practiced — informs Uganda’s remarkable success. This East African country witnessed its HIV-prevalence rate decrease from 15 percent in 1991 to 4.1 percent in 2003. World Vision works through schools, churches and other community groups to provide values-based life-skills training
