Differing HIV infection rates in Brazil and South Africa: A comparative study of policies and practices

Abstract

While the HIV infection rate nearly doubled in Brazil during the past two decades, it increased some sixfold in South Africa. This limited study reports on an analysis of the two counties' HIV/AIDS prevention policies and the findings of a qualitative study of Brazilian and South African HIV/AIDS non-profit organisations 'perceptions of these divergent infection rates. The findings identify a number of differences in terms of policy, government action, civil society involvement and the role of the non-profit sector. It also briefly reports on future concerns, changing attitudes to the illness, and proffers limited counsel.