Analytic perspective

Conflict and HIV: A framework for risk assessment to prevent HIV in conflict-affected settings in Africa

Nancy B Mock^1,2 , Sambe Duale² , Lisanne F Brown² , Ellen Mathys² , Heather C O'Maonaigh² , Nina KL Abul-Husn² and Sterling Elliott²

¹Tulane University Center for International Resource Development, New Orleans, United States

²Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, United States

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Emerging Themes in Epidemiology 2004, 1:6doi:10.1186/1742-7622-1-6

Published:	29 October 2004

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS and violent conflict interact to shape population health and development in dramatic ways. HIV/AIDS can create conditions conducive to conflict. Conflict can affect the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS. Conflict is generally understood to accelerate HIV transmission, but this view is simplistic and disregards complex interrelationships between factors that can inhibit and accelerate the spread of HIV in conflict and post conflict settings, respectively. This paper provides a framework for understanding these factors and discusses their implications for policy formulation and program planning in conflict-affected settings.