PIP: HIV/AIDS is transmitted in developing countries mainly through heterosexual sexual intercourse, and from mothers to babies. While the AIDS pandemic could actually reverse population growth in developing countries, it remains to be seen what future population growth trends will emerge. There are, however, current economic and personal costs to both countries and communities. HIV/AIDS has most severely affected the young, economically productive generations, and decimated some village populations in countries heavily dependent upon agriculture. 85% of Papua New Guinea's population lives in villages and depends upon their own labor for food. Other direct effects of HIV/AIDS upon communities are discussed, including the vertical transmission of HIV and the association of HIV/AIDS with other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis. Fear and ignorance are discussed with regard to how communities have responded to HIV/AIDS, followed by consideration of strategies communities may use to deal with HIV/AIDS, the challenge to survive, and the interdependence of community and the individual.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - epidemiology ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & ; control ; Community Participation - methods ; Papua New Guinea - epidemiology ; Primary Prevention - methods