17 December 2003

HIV risk assessment based on false assumptions

People living in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries rely on accurate risk factor information to protect themselves and their families from HIV infection. Currently, this information is often based on incorrect assumptions unsupported by solid research. In the January issue of the International Journal of STD and AIDS, medical psychologist Dr Stuart Brody and epidemiologist Mr John Potterat present guidelines for sound HIV/AIDS surveillance and epidemiologic research.

'Poor substitutes' for correct information
Risk assessment in countries that suffer from both focal and generalised epidemics is founded on inaccurate assumptions, including the assertion that HIV infection is spread primarily through ‘heterosexual’ transmission, commonly interpreted as penile-vaginal intercourse. Existing research consistently fails to investigate the impact of many factors on HIV transmission, including:

• Encouragement of researchers to ask subjects more direct and sophisticated questions about their sexual practices
• Review of existing statistical data in light of new questions
• Investigation into the effect of other blood-borne infections
• HIV ‘fingerprinting’ of specimens of HIV-positive mothers and their children, as well as in cases of alleged spousal sexual transmission

Read the full article [PDF 130k]