are escourts trusted

[alcatel]

As an addendum to the above, if someone is diagnosed with HIV in the developed world they will be put on therapy that should reduce virus shedding, sometimes to a negligible level, hence reducing infectivity. Also HIV positive mothers can be given treatment to prevent in utero transmission to their offspring. Such things may not be guaranteed in poorer parts of the world.
The problem in the west is where people do not get themselves tested and may continue with risky practices.
Dunno the prevalence of i/v drug use and needle sharing in Africa but no doubt it exists. It also continues to be a significant problem in certain areas of E. Europe eg Russia, Ukraine - again lack of awareness, state or NGO intervention and persistence of poverty.
And something that is very little mentioned, but could mass vaccination programmes in the past with reused needles have contributed to HIV spread in Africa, when the virus was already circulating in the population.

[SteveB]

As an addendum to the above, if someone is diagnosed with HIV in the developed world they will be put on therapy that should reduce virus shedding, sometimes to a negligible level, hence reducing infectivity. Also HIV positive mothers can be given treatment to prevent in utero transmission to their offspring. Such things may not be guaranteed in poorer parts of the world.
The problem in the west is where people do not get themselves tested and may continue with risky practices.
Dunno the prevalence of i/v drug use and needle sharing in Africa but no doubt it exists. It also continues to be a significant problem in certain areas of E. Europe eg Russia, Ukraine - again lack of awareness, state or NGO intervention and persistence of poverty.
And something that is very little mentioned, but could mass vaccination programmes in the past with reused needles have contributed to HIV spread in Africa, when the virus was already circulating in the population.

Reused needles is a problem and needles and other medical equipment that is reused is a problem even in hospitals. This is well known in insider circles but knowledge of this is suppressed because it is feared it would cause loss of confidence in doctors. Lack of confidence in doctors is already a problem with some people preferring local healers (who make good money) over 'western' medicine.