Heterosexual transmission of HIV

Abstract

The overwhelming majority of adult cases of AIDS in Europe and North Americal have occurred among male homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers. However, fairly soon after the first reports of AIDS, evidence was provided for male-to-female transmission of HIV infection in female sex partners of intravenous drug abusers with AIDS. Subsequently, reports appeared on HIV infection in a small proportion of spouses of haemophiliacs with AIDS. In 1984, preliminary epidemiological descriptions of patients with AIDS in Africa suggested that, on a world scale, heterosexual transmission of HIV is probably more common than spread by homosexual contact. In this review, we will discuss the frequency of heterosexual transmission in the West and in Africa, as well as patterns of transmission, risk factors and control strategies.