HIV prevention strategies

HIV/AIDS has become a major global public health concern. Although HIV remains incurable, there are several methods for preventing HIV transmission that have resulted in a marked reduction in the global incidence of HIV infection in the last few years. However, existing prevention strategies are often neither comprehensive nor adequately adapted to local epidemics. This article reviews the key evidence-based strategies for preventing HIV transmission. To achieve maximum impact, HIV prevention programmes must be tailored to local epidemics and include a combination of strategies operating synergistically.