Potterat J J
Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
Int J STD AIDS. 2009 Dec;20(12):812-5. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2009.009359.
With recent implementation of studies specifically designed to empirically assess the contribution of both sexual and blood-borne exposures to local HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, and with the arrival of a new generation of investigators, a picture of HIV transmission routes of improved validity is emerging. Seven years ago the International Journal of STD & AIDS (IJSA) began actively encouraging reexamination of the prevailing view that penile-vaginal sex was driving African HIV epidemics, welcoming debate via manuscript submission and presentation of fresh scientific evidence. Although the IJSA-published dissenting views have largely been ignored, dismissed or fiercely resisted by established HIV researchers and allied health agencies, new approaches may yet elicit more rational, evidence-based responses. Several such contributions appear in IJSA's present theme issue on aspects of HIV epidemiology in Africa. The focus on recent empiric data, rather than on modelling or speculation, no longer leaves reasonable doubt that sexual behaviours are insufficient to explain 'Why Africa?' It is fitting that this progress was encouraged, from beginning to end, by long-time, and now departing IJSA Editor-in-Chief, Dr Wallace Dinsmore.
随着近期专门设计用于实证评估性传播和血液传播暴露对撒哈拉以南非洲地区当地艾滋病毒传播贡献的研究的实施，以及新一代研究人员的到来，一幅有效性更高的艾滋病毒传播途径图景正在浮现。七年前，《国际性传播疾病与艾滋病杂志》（IJSA）开始积极鼓励重新审视阴茎-阴道性行为是非洲艾滋病毒流行的驱动因素这一主流观点，欢迎通过稿件提交和展示新的科学证据展开辩论。尽管IJSA发表的不同意见在很大程度上被资深艾滋病毒研究人员和相关卫生机构忽视、驳回或强烈抵制，但新方法可能会引发更合理、基于证据的回应。IJSA当前关于非洲艾滋病毒流行病学方面的主题特刊中就有几篇这样的文章。关注近期的实证数据，而非建模或推测，不再让人有合理的怀疑，即性行为不足以解释“为何是非洲？”。这一进展自始至终都受到长期担任IJSA主编、现已离任的华莱士·丁斯莫尔博士的鼓励，这是很恰当的。
