The promise andl imitations of cash transfer programs for HIV prevention

As the search for more effective HIV prevention strategies continues; increased attention is being paid to the potential role of cash transfers in prevention programming in sub-Saharan Africa. To date; studies testing the impact of both conditional and unconditional cash transfers on HIV-related behaviours and outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa have been relatively small-scale and their potential feasibility; costs and benefits at scale; among other things; remain largely unexplored. This article examines elements of a successful cash transfer program from Latin America and discusses challenges inherent in scaling-up such programs. The authors attempt a cost simulation of a cash transfer program for HIV prevention in South Africa comparing its cost and relative effectiveness - in number of HIV infections averted - against other prevention interventions. If a cash transfer program were to be taken to scale; the intervention would not have a substantial effect on decreasing the force of the epidemic in middle- and low-income countries. The integration of cash transfer programs into other sectors and linking them to a broader objective such as girls' educational attainment may be one way of addressing doubts raised by the authors regarding their value for HIV prevention

The economic impact of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho : direct and indirect costs : 1993 - 1998

HIV/AIDS has the potential to impose a major economic impact on Lesotho. The total long run economic impact of HIV/AIDS between the years 1993 and 1998 is estimated to total M522;035;686 in constant 1992 prices. This figure includes the total direct medical costs (M66;497;825); the total direct non-personal costs (M48;460;02); and the total indirect costs (M437;077;840). With the rapid increase in HIV infection in Lesotho; the cost of the pandemic promises to spiral. Its cost would not only impact health care services; but many other sectors of the economy as well

AIDS in Africa : the implications of economic recession and structural adjustment

Very little has been written about the socio-economic context of the spread of AIDS in Africa. The focus of this paper will therefore be on those socio-economic factors; historical and current; predisposing to the spread of HIV infection; as well as on the aggravation of these factors by economic recession and structural adjustment programmes (SAPs). The first part of this paper examines the epidemiological factors (both biological and social) in the transmission of HIV in Africa; the second addresses the likely impact of the economic recession and SAPs on HIV transmission and control and the implications for current and future policies; the third and the final section reviews the social; economic and health sector impact of AIDS in Africa

Role of economic independency in the fight against AIDS and STD

Objective: To assess whether the beneficiaries can use it to control the spread of AIDS and STD; (Heifer Project). Method: 100 women were interviewed and assessed using a questionnaire. Results: 74of the women interviewed stated that AIDS and STD can be avoided if women have economic independence. Only 25did not require economic independence as a means of preventing AIDS and STD. Conclusion: Economic independence is very vital in the control of HIV/AIDS