Citation

Morah EU. Dev. Pol. Rev. 2007; 25(2): 215-242.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-7679.2007.00367.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many have alleged that those who are now aware that they are HIV-positive are driving the epidemic. This article reports the results of a study in Malawi that provides empirical evidence of differences in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour between HIV-positive people and those unaware of their sero-status. It comes to three conclusions: HIV-positive people report better knowledge and attitudes; there is substantially higher safer-sex practice among those aware of their HIV-positive status; and the assertion that the epidemic is spread by those aware of their positive sero-status is unsubstantiated. The overall message is that there is a need to accelerate both HIV testing and positive-prevention work.