The impact of HIV/AIDS on children in developing countries

HIV infection and AIDS among children continues to be a significant problem in developing countries despite the progress that has been made in HIV prevention and AIDS treatment elsewhere during the past two decades. The reasons for this difference are complex and multifactorial. They include the higher background prevalence of infection among adults in some communities in developing countries, the slow implementation in many countries of prenatal HIV screening programs and prophylaxis which can reduce the transmission to infants during labor and delivery, the social and health consequences of not breastfeeding, and the economic realities associated with expensive diagnostic testing and antiretroviral treatment. While the world waits for an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine, to reduce the prevalence of HIV in the community, public health programs need to continue to emphasize proven methods of HIV transmission prevention among groups with a high-risk of HIV acquisition, as well as provide counselling for the general population about personal protection and the provision of compassionate care for those affected.