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HIV Risk and Prevention in Emergency‐affected Populations: A Review
Author(s) -
Khaw Adrian J.,
Salama Peter,
Burkholder Brent,
Dondero Timothy J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/1467-7717.00141
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , transmission (telecommunications) , environmental health , medical emergency , poison control , family medicine , nursing , engineering , electrical engineering
While basic guidelines on HIV prevention in emergencies have been available for several years, international agencies involved in the provision of health services have not placed sufficient priority on the prevention of the human immune deficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in complex emergencies. This paper reviews the factors that may increase the risk of HIV transmission in populations affected by complex emergencies and outlines recommendations for research and programmes. Research into the most appropriate methods of carrying out HIV surveillance and interventions in these settings is needed. In the post‐emergency phase programmes need to be far more extensive than those offered under the Minimal Initial Services Package (MISP). While the potential for stigmatisation represents an important constraint, there is a need to prioritise HIV/STI interventions in order to prevent HIV transmission in emergency‐affected populations themselves, as well as to contribute to regional control of the epidemic.