title: Understanding the context of providing HIV prevention and treatment in Papua New Guinea.
abstract: The HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea is now described as a generalized epidemic; that is, more than 1% of people aged 15 to 49 years are infected with HIV. The individual behavior of people is not the single most important factor that places them at risk of infection and drives the spread of the epidemic. Rather, a diverse range of factors—biological, sociocultural, and political—makes people vulnerable to infection and dictates their access to care and treatment services. This article examines these biological, sociocultural, and political influences on the HIV epidemic and on prevention and treatment strategies in Papua New Guinea.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia. gcla4@student.monash.edu
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Ysanne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Francis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D011057:Politics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult