Scientific Facts on AIDS

7.1 How can AIDS prevention be strengthened?
Community Self Help programme, Kenya
Community Self Help programme, Kenya
Credit: UNAIDS/G. Pirozzi

It is critical to renew the emphasis on HIV prevention and to strengthen it in order to prevent millions of new infections each year.

Access to clear, factual HIV prevention information and to HIV testing should be a right. Each person should know his or her HIV status and have access to AIDS information, counselling and related services.

HIV prevention services and education should target vulnerable groups, including sex workers, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, and prisoners. Other population groups that should benefit from a better access to adequate prevention services include HIV-infected pregnant women who are at risk of transmitting the disease to their children (in the womb, during childbirth, or through breastfeeding) and young people who account for 40% of all new infections