THE PUBLIC-HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF AIDS RESEARCH IN AFRICA

The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (H IV/AIDS) epidemic has led to greatly increased international collabora tion for medical research, mainly epidemiologic in nature, in Africa. Greater understanding of HIV/AIDS has resulted, and considerable train ing and technology transfer have occurred. However, analytic and descr iptive research in countries heavily affected by AIDS has been slow to turn to assessment of interventions, and practical benefits to those countries' public health and policies have lagged behind scientific kn owledge. This article considers the public health implications of sele cted HIV/AIDS research in sub-Saharan Africa and discusses opportuniti es for interventions and more applied research. Topics covered include HIV testing and its role, surveillance, control of sexually transmitt ed diseases, the vulnerability of youth and women, tuberculosis, HIV/A IDS care, and the inadequacy of resources currently committed to HIV/A IDS prevention and control in resource-poor countries. Research on HIV /AIDS in Africa has yielded crucial information but now should priorit ize interventions and their evaluation. Specific goals that might limi t the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in resource-poor countries are achievable given vision, commitment, and resources.