Summary of the impact

Six million South Africans are currently infected with HIV and two million have died from AIDS- related diseases. Initially seen solely from a medical perspective, there is now recognition of social and cultural factors, such as witchcraft, that have shaped the pandemic. Niehaus's research findings, which have been disseminated beyond the academic domain, form part of a diverse body of social scientific literature on HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Niehaus's work has (i) enhanced cultural understandings; (ii) shaped public debate; (iii) contributed towards the training of health personnel; (iv) assisted the work of legal practitioners; and (v) assisted in the production of cultural artefacts.

Summary of the impact

Interdisciplinary research conducted in the School of International Development (2003-4) demonstrated for the first time high HIV prevalence and AIDS incidence among 0.5 billion people in fishing-dependent communities across the world. Subsequent research analysed the causes and suggested new strategies for development assistance and health service delivery. Dissemination of these insights to stakeholders generated significant post-2008 impacts on national government, international agency and NGO policies and programmes, contributing to improved access to prevention, treatment and care for hundreds of thousands of people. The research improved HIV/AIDS mainstreaming in natural resource sector governance and development programmes via training manuals, toolkits and policy briefs.

Summary of the impact

The Unit's research into HIV testing has led to impacts on health policy (WHO and NICE guidelines) and services relating to HIV testing amongst vulnerable populations across Europe, and particularly, Scotland. The policies related to the frequency of HIV testing, increases in sites available for testing, and the scope of interventions to promote testing. These policies have contributed to significant increases in HIV testing, and a reduction in undiagnosed HIV infection, HIV related ill-health and AIDS deaths. For people living with HIV, this has enabled improved quality of life, better health and contributions to society.

Summary of the impact

Rosengarten's work during the past fourteen years has provided the HIV field with new ways of rethinking otherwise seemingly intractable problems of more effective prevention. Despite over 30 years of biomedical and social research, and policy and programme implementation, the HIV epidemic continues to grow. The efficacies of repurposing potentially toxic and partially effective antiretroviral drugs for prevention in those perceived at risk of infection has thus come under scrutiny. It is in this context that Rosengarten's work has intervened and introduced an alternative approach to prevention that directly scrutinises the social contexts in which people live and work with HIV. Through this approach and her active engagement with clinicians, policy makers, scientists and advocacy groups she has contributed critical insights that have been incorporated into approaches to HIV prevention in practice.

Summary of the impact

Research carried out by LSHTM into the effects of male circumcision on HIV prevention has led to important policy recommendations by WHO and UNAIDS, the joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS. The research showed a strongly reduced risk of HIV infection among circumcised men, and modelling studies estimated that male circumcision programmes in 13 priority countries in Africa could avert 4m HIV infections by 2025. Members of the research team serve on key international advisory groups, and these results have been widely used to underpin international policy guidelines.

Summary of the impact

Tucker's ethnographic research on the social worlds inhabited by township `Men who have Sex with Men' (MSM), and his quantitative analysis of the associations between social and psycho- social conditions and risky sexual practices for such men, led to the development of the innovative Ukwazana HIV prevention programme — the first of its kind in Africa. Ukwazana, meaning `getting to know each other' in isiXhosa, is based across the central townships of Cape Town, and is unique in fostering partnerships with marginalised township MSM, engaging them collaboratively in HIV prevention initiatives. Based on Tucker's research findings, it is the first scheme to recognise, and tackle, social and psychosocial factors such as homophobia, depression and loss of self- esteem, which often result in risky sexual practices and related illnesses among MSM. This new approach was timely since, despite numerous previous HIV prevention campaigns aimed at township MSM, HIV prevalence for this group was three times the national average.

Summary of the impact

This case study focuses on impact that has occurred because of the research of faculty member Lucy Allais in the areas of disease and sexual health. Impact includes:

• Influencing the ethical outlook of HIV health-workers and policy-makers on issues surrounding HIV testing and transmission
• Influencing the design of a cholera drug trial
• Influencing public opinion, through the medical and general media, on TV, in newspapers and blogs, on philosophical questions to do with HIV and sexual health.

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Glasgow (UoG) has helped faith-based organisations and their non-religious counterparts to develop a better understanding of the effects of Christian beliefs and practices on public health and international development goals. Our research and engagement strategies have benefitted the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and its partners by educating staff and influencing, in particular, HIV policy. It has also led to greater understanding of religious resistance to the language of development as used in the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the United Nations Population Fund, encouraging dialogue between UN staff and historically disengaged conservative religious groups.

Summary of the impact

This case describes Professor Weait's research into the impact of punitive laws relating to HIV transmission and exposure and against people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV). His work has informed the development of policy on criminal liability for HIV transmission and exposure by UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and the National AIDS Trust (NAT). It has led directly to invitations to contribute at international policy fora as well as civil society and professional medical organisations. His research has been acknowledged judicially; has contributed to the UK Crown Prosecution Services' guidelines on this issue; and involved knowledge transfer to, and consequent capacity enhancement of the activities of various interest and community groups.

Summary of the impact

Research conducted by Professor Jonathan Elford of City University London among people living with HIV in East London has had significant impact in the UK as a whole. The National AIDS Trust (NAT) used key findings from the research on employment, immigration and poverty in its submissions to the House of Commons. This led to:

• A change in the law through the Equality Act 2010 on pre-employment screening for people with HIV; it is now prohibited to ask people about health and disability, including HIV, on pre-employment screening questionnaires before the offer of a job has been made and employers can no longer ask applicants to complete health questionnaires prior to interview.
• The removal of charges for hospital treatment for people with HIV who do not have leave to remain in the UK; since 1 October 2012 treatment and care are now freely available in England for anyone diagnosed with HIV.
• The retention of a specific funding line for HIV social care in the Comprehensive Review for 2011-2015; as a consequence local councils in England are able to commission and fund social care for people living with HIV.