The means of transmitting the disease is known. It is passed between people through unprotected sexual intercourse, blood transfusions or sharing hypodermic needles. However, informing people of the need for changes in lifestyle, and persuading people of the necessity for these changes is difficult. In their ignorance the virus will be passed on through having unprotected sex with other people. In areas where there are low levels of literacy and education, ignorance of the disease, its impact and mode of transfer will ensure its rapid spread.
Poverty creates an environment that ensures the virus is spread.
Poverty also hastens death amongst AIDS sufferers as a poor diet will increase the likelihood of catching diseases that the body's immune system can no longer deal with. As the majority of people who die from AIDS are either mothers or the main income earner of the family a generation of orphans and single parent families are being created. In the absence of state welfare payments and with the limited amount of help from charities the burden of bringing up these orphans falls on to the extended family. This puts additional pressure on the resources of the household at a time when increased unemployment, reduced incomes, and economic austerity imposed by structural adjustment programmes are increasing levels of poverty. In the future the implication of the AIDS epidemic are very serious.