PERSPECTIVES PAPER: Medicalization of HIV and the African Response

Abstract

Since the discovery of HIV, the advent of anti-retrovirals in the late 80s heralded an era of medicalization of HIV and fostered major advancements in the management of the disease. Africa, despite its high HIV burden, lagged behind in the adoption of these advancements due to major resource and logistical constraints. Innovative responses such as family-centered models of care, community systems strengthening, integration of HIV care with existing health services, and economic and mobile phone-based approaches have been critical in the successful roll-out of evidence-based HIV/AIDS treatment even in the most resource-limited settings. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[3]: 25-33)

Keywords: medicalization, HIV, Africa