Start the Press: How African communities in the UK can work with the media to confront HIV stigma
Argues that by speaking out, people with HIV and leaders among African communities can raise awareness of the discrimination they experience. Suggests HIV advocates can get to know the media and work with journalists to tell their stories on their own terms, spotlighting inaccurate and misleading coverage and targeting stigma. Includes language guide.
Effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV transmission
Recent meta-analyses of condom effectiveness suggest that condoms are 60 to 70% effective when used for HIV prophylaxis. A re-examination of HIV seroconversion studies suggests that condoms are 90 to 95% effective when used consistently, i.e. consistent condom users are 10 to 20 times less likely to become infected when exposed to the virus than are inconsistent or non-users. Similar results are obtained utilizing model-based estimation techniques, which indicate that condoms decrease the per-contact probability of male-to-female transmission of HIV by about 95%.
Sexual transmission of HIV according to viral load and antiretroviral therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Review and meta-analysis of 11 articles found no HIV transmission among heterosexual discordant couples when the positive patient was treated with ART and had a viral load below 400 copies (with data compatible with one transmission per 79 years).
The effect of sexually transmitted co-infections on HIV viral load amongst individuals on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Analyses 14 studies to find evidence about the effects of STI co-infection on transmission from individuals on ART is very limited. Available data suggests the average effect of STI co-infection on HIV viral load in individuals on ART is unlikely to decrease the effectiveness of treatment as prevention. However, limited data precluded ruling out the possibility that particular STIs pose a larger threat.