Those of you who read www.bizcommunity.com will have seen my interpretation of the article in The Lancet on what actually drives the pandemic of HIV in Africa. And the unfortunate fact is what people have long since suspected - it is promiscuity - called concurrent partners in the article to take away some of the moralising feel to the word. But perhaps we should be suggesting to people that concurrent partners are wrong - moral censure is a strong driver of behaviour - and a strong driver of opposition to the censure itself. Rember Mr Mbeki's outrage at the idea that the pandemic in Africa was driven by multiple partners? Perhaps his lack of acceptance of this fact is one of the reasons that people are still bed-hopping with abandon - and taking their virus with them. Certainly when a friend of mine - high socio-economic class - suggested to her fiance that he should be faithful to her - she didn't get an outright promise of fidelity. If it continues to be culturally and socially acceptable to sleep around, HIV will continue to flourish - across all ages, genders and social classes. Those with money will survive - they can afford the drugs. The poor - as always - will be the ones to suffer. We need to listen to the prevention messages - everyone - not just certain groups in society. There are 1500 new HIV infections a day in South Africa, 1500 a day! This is catastrophic.
Bridget Farham, https://www.bizcommunity.com