HIV Prevention Knowledge Base
Combination Approaches
Combination prevention approaches seek an optimal mix of mutually reinforcing biomedical, behavioral, and structural interventions to meet the needs of different groups.
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An Overview of Combination Prevention
Combination prevention is based on the idea that there is an optimal mix of interventions that will provide the greatest impact. Combination approaches are necessary because there is no single prevention intervention—or “magic bullet”—that fully protects against HIV. People require different prevention approaches over time as their risk changes. Moreover, within a given setting, HIV epidemics can occur simultaneously within different populations and among people in diverse social networks.
Updated: June 2011
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Harm Reduction for Injecting Drug Users
Drug use is a major factor in the spread of HIV infection in many settings. Sharing equipment used for injecting drugs transmits HIV, and drug use is linked with unsafe sexual activity that can increase HIV risk. Harm reduction programs focus on reducing the transmission of HIV associated with injecting drug use, while not necessarily trying to eliminate drug use itself.
Updated September 2010.
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HIV Prevention for Serodiscordant Couples
Recent studies in sub-Saharan African countries with mature epidemics show that up to two-thirds of infected couples are serodiscordant: one partner is HIV-positive and the other HIV-negative. One study found that 55 to 92 percent of new, heterosexually acquired HIV infections among adults occurred within serodiscordant regular relationships. Promising prevention responses have included couples testing, group workshops, and ARV therapy, but effectiveness is not yet proven.
Updated: November 2009
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Positive Health, Dignity, and Prevention (PHDP)
Positive Health, Dignity, and Prevention (PHDP) interventions target people living with HIV to promote health and reduce the risk of transmission to others. PHDP is a combination approach characterized by its systematic delivery of a range of biomedical, behavioral, and social services within local communities.
Updated: June 2011
