Some three decades after the virus we now know as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first recognized as a cause of serious human illness, we still have much to learn about preventing new infections. Should HIV prevention programs be “bundled” with initiatives to prevent other sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections or should they “stand alone”? How much can we/should we attempt to address the upstream determinants of infection? Will that dilute our efforts to deal with more proximal determinants? Whose responsibility is prevention? Local, provincial and federal public health agencies all have a role to play as do community-based organizations and all are playing a role. Are these efforts adequately coordinated and whose role is that? Or is it a shared role? This Purple Paper provides one perspective on these and other issues and will hopefully stimulate reflection and discussion.
Sections:
The Concept of Prevention
The Scope of HIV Prevention
Prevention Targets and Objectives
Populations Targeted by Preventive Interventions
Levels of HIV Preventive interventions
Setting of Preventive Interventions
Selecting Preventive Interventions (Behavioural; Biomedical interventions; HIV prevention in the context of other viral and bacterial STIs and bloodborne infections)
The HIV Prevention Planning Process
Research and Evaluation
HIV Prevention in Canada: Responsible Agencies
Research and Evaluation
Inventory of HIV Prevention and Programs in Canada