tag:blogs.poz.com,2009-03-02:/simoncollery//75 2012-05-15T18:22:44Z HIV/AIDS in Africa Movable Type 4.34-en tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400149 2012-05-15T18:19:32Z 2012-05-15T18:22:44Z

Circumcision proponents continue to ignore their own evidence about a cheap, safe and effective strategy for reducing HIV transmission: penile hygiene.

Simon Collery Circumcision proponents continue to ignore their own evidence about a cheap, safe and effective strategy for reducing HIV transmission: penile hygiene. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400146 2012-05-12T19:07:41Z 2012-05-12T19:09:44Z

The threat of HIV infection for them, their partner or their children, should not be used to promote a Western population control agenda, particularly when one of the most aggressively marketed methods, injectable Depo Provera, has been associated with an increased risk of HIV infection.

Simon Collery The threat of HIV infection for them, their partner or their children, should not be used to promote a Western population control agenda, particularly when one of the most aggressively marketed methods, injectable Depo Provera, has been associated with an increased risk of HIV infection. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400145 2012-05-12T13:39:18Z 2012-05-12T13:44:32Z

The truth is, we don't know who is at highest risk in high prevalence countries, we know that most will not take the pill every day and it's very likely there will be an increase in risk-taking behavior, especially where people opt for PrEP because they know (or even think) they are at risk.

Simon Collery The truth is, we don't know who is at highest risk in high prevalence countries, we know that most will not take the pill every day and it's very likely there will be an increase in risk-taking behavior, especially where people opt for PrEP because they know (or even think) they are at risk. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400143 2012-05-11T15:21:35Z 2012-05-11T15:23:25Z

If the fight against other diseases is not undermined by HIV funding, even if the fight is strengthened, how much more could be done if funding were to be distributed in a reasonable and balanced way?

Simon Collery If the fight against other diseases is not undermined by HIV funding, even if the fight is strengthened, how much more could be done if funding were to be distributed in a reasonable and balanced way? tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400127 2012-04-28T18:59:49Z 2012-04-28T19:03:32Z

There's a something wrong in a country where one quarter of the adult population is infected with a virus that is hard to transmit sexually; it may be that the virus is being transmitted non-sexually.

Simon Collery There's a something wrong in a country where one quarter of the adult population is infected with a virus that is hard to transmit sexually; it may be that the virus is being transmitted non-sexually. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400125 2012-04-27T15:51:09Z 2012-04-27T15:55:37Z

Big Pharma make drugs and big industries, especially the HIV industry, make profits. But the problem is when profit is seen as the only goal and treatment is seen as a mere step to be taken in the pursuit of profit. As for prevention, the industry seems to be looking for ways of making money out of it rather than for how best to achieve it.

Simon Collery Big Pharma make drugs and big industries, especially the HIV industry, make profits. But the problem is when profit is seen as the only goal and treatment is seen as a mere step to be taken in the pursuit of profit. As for prevention, the industry seems to be looking for ways of making money out of it rather than for how best to achieve it. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400116 2012-04-22T16:26:34Z 2012-04-22T16:34:12Z

The 2007 Rakai circumcision trial found that penile hygiene is a lot more effective than mass male circumcision; but they seem to have forgotten.

Simon Collery The 2007 Rakai circumcision trial found that penile hygiene is a lot more effective than mass male circumcision; but they seem to have forgotten. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400115 2012-04-20T19:41:09Z 2012-04-20T20:15:17Z

There are not that many ways in which people exchange bodily fluids with others that could explain HIV epidemics such as the ones in Namibia and other sub-Saharan African countries.

Simon Collery There are not that many ways in which people exchange bodily fluids with others that could explain HIV epidemics such as the ones in Namibia and other sub-Saharan African countries. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400110 2012-04-18T19:15:45Z 2012-04-18T19:19:54Z

Wagging our fingers to the bone about sex will not reduce transmission if young people, unknowingly, face easily avoidable non-sexual risks.

Simon Collery Wagging our fingers to the bone about sex will not reduce transmission if young people, unknowingly, face easily avoidable non-sexual risks. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400105 2012-04-15T15:06:56Z 2012-04-15T15:28:52Z

Provision of family planning in developing countries needs to be separated from a population control agenda, which all too often degenerates into various forms of extremism.

Simon Collery Provision of family planning in developing countries needs to be separated from a population control agenda, which all too often degenerates into various forms of extremism. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400104 2012-04-13T19:42:06Z 2012-04-13T19:59:52Z

It's a lot easier to avoid non-sexual infection than sexual infection, but people need to know it exists and how to avoid it. Countries like Swaziland need better healthcare, but it must be safe healthcare. Information campaigns need to include advice about non-sexual risks as well as sexual risks.

Simon Collery It's a lot easier to avoid non-sexual infection than sexual infection, but people need to know it exists and how to avoid it. Countries like Swaziland need better healthcare, but it must be safe healthcare. Information campaigns need to include advice about non-sexual risks as well as sexual risks. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400101 2012-04-11T18:42:32Z 2012-04-11T18:44:56Z

Unlike Western countries, where almost all HIV transmission occurs outside families, a lot of HIV transmission in Africa happens within families - mother-to-child and spouse-to-spouse transmission together account for an estimated 45% of new infections.

Simon Collery Unlike Western countries, where almost all HIV transmission occurs outside families, a lot of HIV transmission in Africa happens within families - mother-to-child and spouse-to-spouse transmission together account for an estimated 45% of new infections. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400096 2012-04-09T19:25:15Z 2012-04-11T11:56:30Z

Perhaps the struggle between science and politics is sometimes within, rather than between, various players in the HIV industry?

Simon Collery Perhaps the struggle between science and politics is sometimes within, rather than between, various players in the HIV industry? tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400092 2012-04-06T14:41:06Z 2012-04-06T14:42:19Z

I don't doubt that the UN and Gates Foundations have "the power to save the lives of women today, and create a better world for tomorrow", but I am not convinced that is their aim. I'm not convinced that either operate in a transparent and democratic manner; and by 'democratic', I don't mean 'administrated by Westerrners'.

Simon Collery I don't doubt that the UN and Gates Foundations have "the power to save the lives of women today, and create a better world for tomorrow", but I am not convinced that is their aim. I'm not convinced that either operate in a transparent and democratic manner; and by 'democratic', I don't mean 'administrated by Westerrners'. tag:blogs.poz.com,2012:/simoncollery//75.400091 2012-04-05T15:25:31Z 2012-04-05T15:42:44Z

The new guidelines on antiretroviral drug use may be, in part, a reaction to research data. But it's hard not to wonder if it is also a reaction to substantial lobbying by pharmaceutical manufacturers and others who profit from ever increasing use of these very expensive drugs.

Simon Collery The new guidelines on antiretroviral drug use may be, in part, a reaction to research data. But it's hard not to wonder if it is also a reaction to substantial lobbying by pharmaceutical manufacturers and others who profit from ever increasing use of these very expensive drugs.