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The spread of HIV-1 in Africa: sexual contact patterns and the predicted demographic impact of AIDS

Nature volume 352, pages581–589(1991)Cite this article

Abstract

The spread of HIV-1 in Africa is examined here in the light of recent information on the main epidemiological and behavioural determinants of transmission. Mathematical models incorporating demographic, epidemiological and behavioural processes are used to assess the potential demographic impact of the disease AIDS. These analyses highlight the significance of patterns of sexual behaviour, and in particular networks of sexual contact, on the predicted spread of infection. Current data reveal substantial variations in the degree of spread between and in countries, but new analyses support earlier predictions that in the worst-afflicted areas AIDS is likely to change population growth rates from positive to negative values in a few decades.

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Affiliations

  1. Parasite Epidemiology Research Group, Department of Biology, Imperial College, London University, London, SW7 2BB, UK

    R. M. Anderson, R. M. May, M. C. Boily, G. P. Garnett & J. T. Rowley

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, 0X1 3PS, UK

    R. M. May

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Anderson, R., May, R., Boily, M. et al. The spread of HIV-1 in Africa: sexual contact patterns and the predicted demographic impact of AIDS. Nature 352, 581–589 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/352581a0

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