HIV testing of African immigrants in Belgium showed that HIV existed among Africans by 1983. However, the epidemic was recognized much later in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to stigma and perceived fear of possible negative consequences to the countries’ economies. This delay had devastating mortality, morbidity, and social consequences. In countries where earlier recognition occurred, political leadership was vital in mounting a response. The response involved establishment of AIDS control programs and research on the HIV epidemiology and candidate preventive interventions. Over time, the number of effective interventions has grown; the game changer being triple antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has led to a rapid decline in HIV-related morbidity and mortality in addition to prevention of onward HIV transmission. Other effective interventions include safe male circumcision, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and post-exposure prophylaxis. However, since none of these is sufficient by itself, delivering a combination package of these interventions is important for ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016.

Antiretroviral therapy Stigma HIV prevalence Combination prevention Africa History

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis circumcision HIV Infections Africa south of the Sahara Circumcision, Male Human immunodeficiency virus infection post exposure prophylaxis human highly active antiretroviral therapy Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active immigration Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome morbidity Epidemics Humans male Review Africa Social Stigma stigma prevalence epidemic history History, 20th Century virus transmission Fear acquired immune deficiency syndrome pre-exposure prophylaxis mortality anti human immunodeficiency virus agent Anti-HIV Agents