GTZ / RAPAs multisectoral approach in West Africa.

HIV/AIDS has become the leading cause of death in several African countries. Over the last 2 decades different approaches have been adopted to check its spread and mitigate its impact on affected persons. Initially most organizations adopted a vertical approach to the epidemic implementing specific AIDS projects; this approach was not very successful in checking the spread of HIV. Next the focus shifted to integrating HIV/AIDS activities into existing primary health-care systems. Soon however it became evident that the health sectors alone could neither stem the rapid spread of HIV nor cope with the huge numbers of affected persons. It was acknowledged that HIV/AIDS is not only a health problem: it has sociocultural and economic dimensions cutting across all segments of society and affecting a wide range of sectors. It is a challenge to development whose solution requires a multisectoral approach. (authors)