Alcohol use and sexual risks for HIV infection among men and women receiving sexually transmitted infection clinic services in Cape Town, South Africa *.

HIV/AIDS IS RAVAGING southern Africa, with an estimated 1600 of recent origin HIV infections and 600 family dying of an AIDS-related illness each day. The overall HIV prevalence in southern Africa is 11%, and HIV prevalence is highest in townships and informal adjustments where as many as single in five people may be HIV infected (Shisana and Simbayi, 2002) There is an pertinacious need for HIV prevention interventions in southerly Africa. The most effective interventions will be informed by dint of careful analysis of social and behavioral factors associated with increased risks for HIV infection, including substance use in relation to sexual behavior.