Hope Against H.I.V.

The lead story in today’s New York Times, “2 African Studies Give Women Hope in Fighting H.I.V.,” describes a two-pronged approach in battling the disease in sub-Saharan Africa where the majority of people infected is women. The methods suggested are an internal microbicidal gel applied by women prior to sex and the institution of small monthly cash payments to poor girls that result in behavioral modifications.

The new medication, called tenovir, can reduce infection by up to 54 percent. The cash payments of $4 to $10 a month to the parents plus $1 to $4 a month for the girls if they attend school reduce the prevalence of H.I.V. to 1.2 percent compared to 3 percent for the general population. This suggests the role of money and gifts in decisions by poor girls in African culture to have sex.

This story provides the rare good news piece featured in The New York Times lead in recent memories, with the exception of the news about capping the oil gusher by BP.

One must remember the very different nature and character of the disease in Africa, both in degree — where it has swept through the region like a plague — and the nature — where it does not carry the stigma of infecting primarily gay men. In some areas, up to 1 in 10 pregnant women are H.I.V. positive by the age of 16, and half have the disease by age 24.

And the other good news concerns the cost. After final approval for public distribution in a year or two, the “semi-vaccine” — it’s not 100 percent effective — will cost about 25 cents per application.