Sources of HIV incidence among stable couples in sub-Saharan Africa

J Int AIDS Soc. 2014 Feb 21;17(1):18765. doi: 10.7448/IAS.17.1.18765. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Introduction: The recent availability of efficacious prevention interventions among stable couples offers new opportunities for reducing HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the dynamics of HIV incidence among stable couples is critical to inform HIV prevention strategy across sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We quantified the sources of HIV incidence arising among stable couples in sub-Saharan Africa using a cohort-type mathematical model parameterized by nationally representative data. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were incorporated.

Results: HIV incidence arising among stable concordant HIV-negative couples contribute each year, on average, 29.4% of total HIV incidence; of those, 22.5% (range: 11.1%-39.8%) are infections acquired by one of the partners from sources external to the couple, less than 1% are infections acquired by both partners from external sources within a year and 6.8% (range: 3.6%-11.6%) are transmissions to the uninfected partner in the couple in less than a year after the other partner acquired the infection from an external source. The mean contribution of stable HIV sero-discordant couples to total HIV incidence is 30.4%, with most of those, 29.7% (range: 9.1%-47.9%), being due to HIV transmissions from the infected to the uninfected partner within the couple. The remaining incidence, 40.2% (range: 23.7%-64.6%), occurs among persons not in stable couples.

Conclusions: Close to two-thirds of total HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa occur among stable couples; however, only half of this incidence is attributed to HIV transmissions from the infected to the uninfected partner in the couple. The remaining incidence is acquired through extra-partner sex. Substantial reductions in HIV incidence can be achieved only through a prevention approach that targets all modes of HIV exposure among stable couples and among individuals not in stable couples.

Keywords: HIV incidence; Sub-Saharan Africa; demographic and health surveys; mathematical model; sources of infection; stable couples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / etiology*
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Spouses / statistics & numerical data