HIV Basic Biology, Epidemiology, and Prevention

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets immune systems, weakening defence mechanisms and making the human body vulnerable to a host of infections and associated factors. HIV remains a major global public health issue, and according to WHO estimates, the causative factor for more than 35 million deaths so far, with around 1 million deaths occurring in 2016 alone. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), that needs between 2 to 15 years for development, although it varies from one individual to another.

The course has been designed to help health workers in developing basic understanding of biology, transmission, epidemiology, and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Module 1 details basic structure of the virus, mode of entry, replication and attack of HIV inside the human cell, and four significant attributes of HIV.

Module 2 discusses the myths behind the spread of HIV, most common modes of infection {sexual transmission, blood, injections, and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)}, the natural course of HIV infection and AIDS, and the key role that early infection plays.

Module 3 provides information regarding the key epidemic concepts of incidence and prevalence, the methodology used to measure these two concepts, major global trends, typical pattern of prevalence by age and sex in a generalized epidemic, and locations and situations with higher risk.

Module 4 explains the dynamics involved in the sexual transmission of HIV (increased number of sexual partners, concurrent sex partners, discordant and concordant couples), transactional sex, and fast- and slow-moving components of epidemics.  

Module 5 encompasses the topics including, the significance of correct and consistent use of condoms, efficacy of promotion of condom use among health workers, limited clear impact of widespread condom distribution on overall generalized epidemics, and a case study involving South African youth.

Module 6 includes case studies based upon decline of HIV incidence in Uganda and Zimbabwe, strategies in promoting safer sexual behaviour, and role of behaviour change programming.

Module 7 outlines other modes of prevention, such as male circumcision, priorities for voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programs, treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), role of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and pre-prophylaxis prevention of HIV (PrEP), promise and challenges for ARV-based prevention, and specific interventions and a comprehensive package for key populations, structural factors, combination prevention, and strategic, prioritized programming for prevention.

Module 8 is concerned with the HIV prevalence background in Vanuatu. This module includes an example that how Vanuatu Ministry of Health and the WHO Collaborating Centre trained health-care workers in implementing the Vanuatu National Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.