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UNAIDS
TERMINOLOGY
GUIDELINES
UNAIDS TERMINOLOGY GUIDELINES
2015
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................3
PREFERRED TERMINOLOGY.............................................................4
ORGANIZATIONS...............................................................................51
FURTHER RESOURCES....................................................................53
TERMS BY SUBJECT.........................................................................54
REFERENCES....................................................................................59
INTRODUCTION
Language shapes beliefs and may influence behaviours. Considered use of appropriate language has
the power to strengthen the global response to the AIDS epidemic. That is why the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is pleased to make these guidelines to preferred terminology freely
available for use by staff members, colleagues in the Joint Programmes 11 Cosponsoring organizations and
other partners working in the global response to HIV.
These guidelines are a living, evolving document that is reviewed on a regular basis. This revision of the
2011 edition has discarded a few terms and added new ones that are relevant to the global response to HIV
and commonly used by UNAIDS. The same terms, grouped by subject headings, also are listed at the end of
this document.
These guidelines may be freely copied and reproduced, provided that it is not done for commercial gain and
the source is mentioned. Comments and suggestions for additions, deletions or modifications should be sent
to terminology@unaids.org.
Terminology guidelines 3
PREFERRED TERMINOLOGY
Dont use Background Preferred term
AIDS carrier This term is no longer used because it is incorrect, person living with HIV
stigmatizing and offensive to many people living
with HIV.
AIDS- No one is infected with AIDS; AIDS is not an infectious Refer to people as
infected; agent. AIDS describes a syndrome of opportunistic being HIV-positive or
HIV-infected; infections and diseases that can develop as a person/ people living
transmitters immunosuppression deepens along the continuum of with HIV
HIV infection (from acute infection to death). (if serostatus is known/
People should never be referred to as an abbreviation, disclosed), or as having
such as PLHIV, since this is dehumanizing. Instead, the unknown HIV status (if
name or identity of the group should be written out in serostatus is unknown).
full. Abbreviations for population groups can, however,
be used in charts or graphs where brevity is required.
AIDS This term not only stigmatizes children, but it also orphans and other
orphans labels them as HIV-positive, which may be untrue. children made
Identifying a human being by his or her social vulnerable by AIDS
condition alone shows a lack of respect for the
individual, in the same way as identifying a human
being by his or her medical condition.
Contrary to traditional usage (but consistent with
the dictionary definition), UNAIDS sometimes uses
orphan as a subset of orphans and other children
made vulnerable by AIDS to describe children who
have lost either one or both parents to HIV.
4 UNAIDS
Dont use Background Preferred term
AIDS test There is no test for AIDS. The test is for HIV. Use HIV test or HIV
antibody test.
bridging These terms describe a population at higher risk of Describe the behaviour
population; HIV exposure whose members may have unprotected instead.
bridge sexual relations with individuals who are otherwise at
population low risk of HIV exposure. Because HIV is transmitted
by individual behaviours and not by groups, avoid using
these terms.
commercial The words commercial and work imply the same sex work, commercial
sex work; thing so one or the other can be used but not both sex, the sale of sexual
commercial together. services
sex worker The term sex worker is intended to be non-judgemental It is also acceptable to
and focuses on the working conditions under which say that sex workers
sexual services are sold. Sex workers include are paid for sex.
consenting female, male and transgender adultsas sex worker, women/
well as young people over the age of 18 yearswho men/ people who sell
regularly or occasionally receive money or goods in sex
exchange for sexual services. As sex work is defined Clients of sex workers
as the consensual sale of sex between adults, children may be called men/
(people under 18 years) cannot be involved in sex work. women/people who
Instead, children involved in sex work are considered to buy sex.
be victims of sexual exploitation.
Terminology guidelines 5
Dont use Background Preferred term
corrective In homophobic rape, people are raped because they homophobic rape
rape are, or are perceived to be, lesbian or gay. Part of a
wider pattern of sexual violence, attacks of this kind
commonly combine a fundamental lack of respect for
women, often amounting to misogyny, with deeply-
entrenched homophobia.
Dont use the term corrective rape, as it implies the
need to correct or rectify a deviated behaviour or
sexual orientation. The preferred term, homophobic
rape, notes the deep-seated homophobia that
motivates the hate crime.
deadly, Labelling AIDS as deadly or incurable may create fear, To avoid misconceptions,
incurable and increase stigma and discrimination. Referring to it it is preferable to avoid
disease; as a manageable, chronic illness also may lead people using these adjectives
manageable, to believe that, with treatment, AIDS is not as serious when referring to AIDS.
chronic as it was thought. AIDS remains a serious health
illness; condition.
immune AIDS is not simply a case of someone suffering from acquired
deficiency immune deficiency. It is an epidemiological definition immunodeficiency
based on clinical signs and symptoms. It is caused by syndrome (AIDS)
HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV destroys
the bodys ability to fight off infection and disease,
which can ultimately lead to death. Antiretroviral
therapy slows down replication of the virus and can
greatly extend life and enhance quality of life, but it
does not eliminate HIV infection.
driver This term is often used to describe the underlying To avoid confusion, it is
determinants of an epidemic (i.e. structural and preferable to avoid the
social factors, such as poverty, gender inequality word, or to define it each
and human rights abuses that can increase peoples time it is used.
vulnerability to HIV). However, more direct factors
such as the extent of multiple and concurrent sexual
partners, or the number of people who inject drugs in a
populationmay also be defined as drivers.
6 UNAIDS
Dont use Background Preferred term
drug addicts; Such terms are derogatory and are not conducive It is preferable to use
drug abusers to fostering the trust and respect required when person/people who
engaging with people who use drugs. inject(s) drugs because
This is incorrect because subcutaneous and they place the emphasis
intramuscular routes may be involved. on people.
intravenous People should never be referred to as an In some situations,
drug users abbreviation, such as IDU (for injecting drug users), person who uses drugs
since this is dehumanizing. Instead, the name or is a broader term that
identity of the group should be written out in full. may be applicable.
Abbreviations for population groups can, however, be
used in charts or graphs where brevity is required.
end AIDS, the Eliminating HIV is still not an achievable goal at ending the AIDS
end of AIDS; the moment. However, proven strategies for the epidemic as a public
end HIV; prevention and treatment of HIV are available and can health threat (preferred);
ending HIV; be made to work together to end the AIDS epidemic others acceptable
the end of as a public health threat. ending the epidemic,
HIV; eliminate ending the AIDS
HIV; eliminate epidemic, end the
AIDS; AIDS epidemic, end the
eradicate epidemic
HIV;
eradicate
AIDS
feminization In the past, the term feminization has been used Instead of vague
to emphasize the increasing impact that the HIV concepts, use specific
epidemic has had on women. However, it is vague facts and figures
and potentially stigmatizing, and it should therefore be when discussing
avoided. epidemiological trends.
Terminology guidelines 7
Dont use Background Preferred term
fight and Avoid such terms unless in a direct quotation or response, management
other because of the specific context of the text. One of, measures against,
combatant rationale for this is to avoid transference from the fight initiative, action, efforts
language against HIV to a fight against people living with HIV. and programme
(e.g.
struggle,
battle,
campaign or
war)
high(er)- These terms should be avoided because they imply Use key populations1 or
risk group; that the risk is contained within the group, whereas young key populations
vulnerable all social groups actually are interrelated. The use (when applicable) (in the
groups of the term high-risk group may create a false sense sense of being key to the
of security in people who have risk behaviours but epidemics dynamics or
do not identify with such groups, and it can also key to the response).
increase stigma and discrimination against the Key populations are
designated groups. Membership of groups does not distinct from vulnerable
place individuals at risk; behaviours may. populations, which
In the case of married and cohabiting people, are subject to societal
particularly women, the risk behaviour of the sexual pressures or social
partner may place the partner, who is not engaged in circumstances that
risk behaviour, in a situation of risk. may make them more
vulnerable to exposure to
infections, including HIV.
1 UNAIDS considers gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people who inject drugs
as the four main key population groups, but it acknowledges that prisoners and other incarcerated people also are particularly
vulnerable to HIV and frequently lack adequate access to services. Countries should define the specific populations that are key to
their epidemic and response based on the epidemiological and social context.
8 UNAIDS
Dont use Background Preferred term
hotspots In the context of HIV, hotspot connotes a small area Use location or local
within a bigger province/city/country where there is high epidemic, and describe
HIV prevalence or incidence. Use this term with caution, the situation or context.
as it may be seen as having a negative connotation for
the people in the hotspot. Instead, describe the actual
situation you want to convey.
most at risk; Such terms should be avoided because communities Describe the behaviour
most-at-risk view them as stigmatizing. each population is
adolescents In specific projects where such expressions continue to engaged in that places
(MARAs), be used, it is important never to refer to a person (directly individuals at risk of HIV
most-at-risk or indirectly) as a MARA, MARYP or MARP. exposure (e.g. unpro-
young people tected sex among stable
(MARYP), serodiscordant couples,
most-at-risk sex work with low con-
populations dom use, young people
(MARPs) who use drugs and lack
access to sterile inject-
ing equipment, etc.).
multiple People with concurrent sexual partnerships are involved concurrent sexual
concurrent in overlapping sexual partnerships where intercourse partnerships,
partnerships with one partner occurs between two acts of intercourse concurrent
(MCP) with another partner. For surveillance purposes, this is partnerships or simply
defined specifically as those occurring within the past concurrency
six months.
Terminology guidelines 9
Dont use Background Preferred term
people living With reference to people living with HIV, it is The preferred terms are
with HIV preferable to avoid certain terms. For instance, AIDS people living with HIV
and AIDS, patient should only be used in a medical context and children living with
PLWHA, (most of the time a person with AIDS is not in the role HIV as they reflect the
PLWHIV, of patient). These terms imply that the individual in fact that persons with
AIDS patient, question is powerless, with no control over his or her HIV may continue to live
AIDS victim, life. Referring to people living with HIV as innocent well and productively for
AIDS sufferer victims (which often is used to describe HIV-positive many years.
children or people who have acquired HIV medically) The term people affected
wrongly implies that people who acquire HIV in other by HIV encompasses
ways are somehow deserving of punishment. family members and
People should never be referred to as an dependents who may be
abbreviation, such as PLHIV, since this is involved in caregiving or
dehumanizing. Instead, the name or identity of the otherwise affected by the
group should be written out in full. Abbreviations for HIV-positive status of a
population groups can, however, be used in charts or person living with HIV.
graphs where brevity is required.
prostitute; A term that implies a person is in the business of For adults (18 years and
prostitution selling sex. This is not to be used as it denotes value older), use sex work,
judgement. sex worker, commercial
sex, or the sale of sexual
services.
For children (younger
than 18 years old), use
sexual exploitation of
children.
10 UNAIDS
Dont use Background Preferred term
risk of AIDS Do not use unless referring to behaviours or conditions risk of acquiring HIV, risk
that increase the risk of disease progression in an HIV- of exposure to HIV
positive person.
safe sex This term may imply complete safety. The term safer safer sex
sex more accurately reflects the idea that choices
can be made and behaviours adopted to reduce or
minimize the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission.
Safer sex strategies include postponing sexual debut,
non-penetrative sex, correct and consistent use of
male or female condoms, and reducing the number of
sexual partners.
spousal This term limits the transmission of HIV to only intimate partner
transmission occurring between spouses, which is not always the transmission
case.
target Avoid using as a verb (e.g. target men who have sex engage, involve, focus,
with men), as this conveys non-participatory, top-down designed for and by
approaches. Preferred terms include engage (e.g.
engage men who have sex with men in programming),
involve (e.g. involve men who have sex with men in
the response to the epidemic), or designed for and by
(e.g. programmes designed for and by men who have
sex with men).
target Likewise, rather than use target populations, it is better priority populations, key
populations to refer to populations that are key to the epidemic and populations
key to the response.
However, the term target is acceptable as a noun,
such as when referring to an objective or goal.
Terminology guidelines 11
USEFUL BACKGROUND TO SELECTED TERMS
accountability Accountability is the obligation of people and organizations to live up
to what is expected of them and to report on the use of resources;
it also is the assumption of responsibility for ones actions and the
consequences of such actions.
12 UNAIDS
antiretroviral medicines/ Antiretroviral therapy is highly active in suppressing viral
antiretrovirals (ARVs)/ replication, reducing the amount of the virus in the blood to
antiretroviral therapy (ART)/ undetectable levels and slowing the progress of HIV disease.
HIV treatment
The usual antiretroviral therapy regimen combines three or more
different medicines, such as two nucleoside reverse transcriptase
inhibitors (NRTI) and a protease inhibitor, two nucleoside
analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a non-nucleoside
reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), or other combinations.
More recently, entry inhibitors and integrase inhibitors have
joined the range of treatment options. Suboptimal regimens are
monotherapy and dual therapy.
azidothymidine (AZT) or AZT or ZDV, a first among NRTIs to be approved by the United
zidovudine (ZDV) States Food and Drug Administration in 1987, is a drug used to
delay development of AIDS.
biomedical factors Biomedical factors relate to human physiology and its interaction
with medicine.
Terminology guidelines 13
bisexual A bisexual person is defined as a person who is attracted to and/or
has sex with both men and women, and who identifies with this as
a cultural identity. The terms men who have sex with both men and
women or women who have sex with both women and men should
be used unless individuals or groups self-identify as bisexual.
client-initiated testing and Client-initiated testing and counselling (CITC) involves individuals
counselling (CITC) (see also actively seeking HIV testing and counselling at a facility that offers
HIV testing services (HTS) such services. CITC is one of three principal modalities of HIV
and provider-initiated testing testingthe other two modalities being provider-initiated testing
and counselling (PITC)) and counselling (PITC) and HIV self-testing (HIVST). CITC can be
undertaken or carried out in community or special purpose settings.
combination HIV prevention Combination HIV prevention seeks to achieve maximum impact on
HIV prevention by combining human rights-based and evidence-
informed behavioural, biomedical and structural strategies in the
context of a well-researched and understood local epidemic.
14 UNAIDS
community systems The term community systems strengthening (CSS) refers to
strengthening (CSS) initiatives that contribute to the development and/or strengthening
of community-based organizations. This is done in order to increase
knowledge of (and access to) improved health-service delivery, and
it usually includes capacity-building of infrastructure and systems,
partnership-building and the development of sustainable financing
solutions.
Terminology guidelines 15
comprehensive social Comprehensive social protection addresses a range of measures
protection (see also for policy and programming, such as legal reforms to protect the
HIV-related social protection, rights of people living with HIV, women and key populations. It
HIV-sensitive social also includes economic empowerment programmes, referrals and
protection, HIV-specific linkages to maximize the impact of investments in (and across)
social protection and social sectors.
protection)
concurrent sexual People with concurrent sexual partnerships are involved in overlapping
partnerships sexual partnerships where intercourse with one partner occurs
between two acts of intercourse with another partner. For surveillance
purposes, this is defined specifically as those occurring within the past
six months. The phrases concurrent sexual partnerships, concurrent
partnerships or simply concurrency may be used.
condomless sex In condomless sex, the sex act is not protected by male or female
condoms. Previously known as unprotected sex, this is now
increasingly referred to as condomless sex; this is done to avoid
confusion with the protection from pregnancy that is provided by
other means of contraception.
contaminated injecting Drug injecting equipment or other piercing medical and non-medical
equipment equipment is said to be contaminated if it contains an infectious
agent (such as HIV).
16 UNAIDS
counselling, post-test Post-test counselling is used to explain the result of the test. It
provides additional information on risk-reduction measuresincluding
prevention options for individuals who have tested negativeand it
encourages people with high-risk practices or who may have been
tested during the window period to come again for testing.
Country Coordinating The Country Coordinating Mechanism was established by the Global
Mechanism (CCM) Fund to fulfill its commitment to local ownership and participatory
decision-making. These country-level partnerships develop and
submit grant proposals to the Global Fund based on priority needs
at the national level and also monitor the implementation of the said
proposal once funded.
Terminology guidelines 17
critical enablers Critical enablers are activities that are necessary to support the
effectiveness and efficiency of basic programme activities (7).
Programmes that are critical enablers should be primarily assessed
in terms of their effectiveness in increasing the uptake, equitable
coverage, rights-based delivery and quality of basic programme
activities. Critical enablers also overcome major barriers to service
uptake, including social exclusion, marginalization, criminalization,
stigma and inequity.
development synergies Development synergies are investments in other sectors that can
have a positive effect on HIV outcomes (7). Some key development
sectorssuch as social protection, gender equality, health
systemspresent opportunities for synergies in multiple contexts.
dual protection (see also Dual protection strategies are intended to prevent both unintended
multipurpose technologies) pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (including HIV).
18 UNAIDS
enabling environment There are different kinds of enabling environment in the context of
HIV. For instance, an enabling legal environment would not only
have laws and policies against discrimination on the basis of sex,
health status (including HIV status), age, disability, social status,
sexual orientation, gender identity and other relevant grounds, but
they would be enforced. In such an environment, people also would
have access to justicethat is, a process and remedy if they are
aggrieved. An enabling social environment is one in which social
protection strategies (e.g. economic empowerment) are in place,
and where social norms support knowledge, awareness and healthy
behaviour choices.
equitable health care This term refers to the provision of health care that takes into
account the specific needs and situations of all people in the
population in order to ensure that none are discriminated against.
equivalence of health care In the context of prisons and other closed settings, equivalence of
heath care refers to the provision of access to preventive, curative,
reproductive and palliative health services that have the same
norms and standards as those available in the larger community.
Terminology guidelines 19
Fast-Track Fast-Track is an approach adopted by UNAIDS to accelerate
the implementation of essential HIV prevention and treatment
and human rights approaches that will enable the response to
outpace the epidemic.
food by prescription (FBP) Food by prescription programming aims to improve health and/
programming or treatment outcomes in patients who have acute malnutrition
by providing short-term, individual nutritional supplementation
with specialized nutritious foods. FBP programmes usually are
directly affiliated with an HIV care and treatment programme or
clinic.
full expression of demand This term was introduced by the Global Fund to define the
total amount of funding that is needed to finance a technically
appropriate, focused, cost-effective and efficient response that
aims to achieve maximum impact against the diseases within a
given country context.
gay (see also men who have sex The term gay can refer to same-sex sexual attraction, same-sex
with men) sexual behaviour and same-sex cultural identity. Unless
individuals or groups self-identify as gay, the expression men
who have sex with men should be used.
gay men and other men who have The term gay men and other men who have sex with men
sex with men (see also gay; men encompasses both men who self-identify as gay, as well as men
who have sex with men) who do not, yet who have sex with other men.
gender (see also sex) Gender refers to the social attributes and opportunities
associated with being male and female and the relationships
between women and men and girls and boys, as well as
the relations between women and those between men.
These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially
constructed and are learned through socialization processes.
They are context/time-specific and changeable. Gender
determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a
woman or a man in a given context. In most societies, there
are differences and inequalities between women and men
in responsibilities assigned, activities undertaken, access
to and control over resources, as well as decision-making
opportunities (9).
Note that since many languages do not have the word gender,
translators may have to consider alternatives to distinguish
between the terms gender and sex.2
2 For instance, translation to Spanish requires care to ensure correct references to gender.
20 UNAIDS
gender-based violence (see also Gender-based violence describes violence that establishes,
violence against women) maintains or attempts to reassert unequal power relations based
on gender. It encompasses acts that inflict physical, mental or
sexual harm or suffering, threat of such acts, coercion and other
deprivations of liberty.
gender-related barriers This term refers to the legal, social, cultural or economic
barriers to the access of services, participation and/or
opportunities that may be imposed on individuals or groups
based on socially constructed gender roles.
Terminology guidelines 21
gender-sensitive (see also Gender-sensitive policies, programmes or training modules
gender-responsive) recognize that both women and men are actors within a
society, that they are constrained in different and often
unequal ways and that they consequently may have differing
(and sometimes conflicting) perceptions, needs, interests and
priorities.
Global AIDS Response Progress Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting (GARPR) is a
Reporting (GARPR) process whereby countries report progress annually on an
established set of GARPR indicators (previously, UNGASS
indicators). The indicators are designed to assist countries
assess the current state of their national HIV response and
progress in achieving their national HIV targets. They will
contribute to a better understanding of the global HIV response
to the AIDS epidemic, including progress towards the global
targets set in the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on
HIV and AIDS and the Millennium Development Goals.
Global Fund concept note A term introduced by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) to define an
application to request new funds from the Global Fund for
any one of the three diseases or for cross-cutting support for
health and community system strengthening.
Global Fund Funding Model The Global Fund has changed its funding model in order to have
a bigger impact on the three diseases. The Global Fund Funding
Model was designed to have predictable funding, to reward
ambitious vision and to work on more flexible timings with a
smoother, shorter process that ensures a higher success rate for
applications.
22 UNAIDS
greater involvement of people In 1994, 42 countries called upon the Paris AIDS Summit to
living with HIV/AIDS3 (GIPA) include the greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS
principle (GIPA) in its final declaration. For more information,
see http://data.unaids.org/pub/BriefingNote/2007/JC1299_
Policy_Brief_GIPA.pdf.
harmful gender norms Harmful gender norms are social and cultural norms of gender
that cause direct or indirect harm to women and men. Some
examples are norms that contribute to womens risk and
vulnerability to HIV, or those that hinder men from assuming
their share of the burden of care or from seeking information,
treatment and support.
health education (see also Health education is the provision of accurate and
counselling, behaviour change appropriately contextualized information on health (e.g.
communication) according to age, sex and culture) that is aimed at assisting
individuals to make informed choices to improve their health.
3 Although the term GIPA is in widespread usage, UNAIDS no longer encourages the use of HIV/AIDS as a term. Thus, GIPA really
stands for greater involvement of people living with HIV.
Terminology guidelines 23
health sector The health sector encompasses a number of related
organizations and services. These include organized public
and private health services (including those for health
promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and
care), health ministries, health-related nongovernmental
organizations, health-related community groups and health-
specific professional organizations. It also includes institutions
that provide direct input into the health-care system, such as
the pharmaceutical industry and teaching institutions.
health systems strengthening The term health systems strengthening refers to a process
that improves a health systems capacity to deliver effective,
safe and high-quality services equitably. Areas that require
strengthening are typically the service delivery system, health
workforce, health information system, systems to guarantee
equitable access to health commodities and technologies,
and health financing systems. Leadership, governance and
accountability also can be strengthened.
HIPC Initiative: Heavily Indebted The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative is an
Poor Countries Initiative international debt relief mechanism that provides special
assistance to the worlds poorest countries. It does this by
increasing the funds that countries have at their disposal
and ensuring that those funds are channelled to core human
development priorities (such as basic health care), thus
helping countries meet the Millennium Development Goals.
Launched in 1996 by the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund, the HIPC Initiative was further enhanced in
1999, and it has already helped some of the poorest nations in
the world free up precious resources for human development
that otherwise would have been spent on servicing debt.
24 UNAIDS
heterosexual The term heterosexual is used to refer to people who have
sex with and/or are attracted to people of the opposite sex.
highly active antiretroviral therapy HAART refers to the use of a combination of antiretroviral
(HAART) (see antiretroviral medicines that, when used together, can prevent
medicines/antiretrovirals (ARVs)/ HIV replication and suppress viral load. Often used
antiretroviral therapy (ART)/ interchangeably with ART. The term is no longer commonly
HIV treatment) used today.
HIV cure (functional or sterilizing) A sterilizing cure is a theoretical concept referring to the
complete eradication of all viable HIV in the body, including
provirus within cellular reservoirs.
Terminology guidelines 25
HIV-related disease Symptoms of HIV may occur both at the time of HIV infection
and after immune compromise sets in. When the virus comes
into contact with mucosal surfaces during initial infection with
HIV, it finds susceptible target cells and moves to draining
lymph nodes, where massive production of the virus ensues.
This leads to a burst of high-level viraemia (virus in the
bloodstream) with wide dissemination of the virus. Some
people may have flu-like symptoms at this stage, but these
are generally referred to as symptoms of primary infection or
acute infection rather than HIV-related disease.
HIV-related social protection This term refers to programmes that are designed for the
(see also comprehensive social general public but that tend also to address HIV. Examples
protection, HIV-sensitive social include social protection programmes that target older people
protection, HIV-specific social (over the age of 60 years) in high-prevalence countries,
protection and social protection) which also will reach older caregivers who face specific HIV
caregiving burdens.
HIV-sensitive social protection Under an HIV-sensitive approach, people living with HIV
(see also comprehensive social and other vulnerable populations are provided with services
protection, HIV-related social together; this prevents the exclusion of equally needy groups.
protection, HIV-specific social HIV-sensitive social protection is the most preferred approach,
protection and social protection) as it avoids the stigmatization that can be caused by focusing
exclusively on HIV.
26 UNAIDS
HIV-specific social protection This term refers to programmes that focus exclusively on HIV
(see also comprehensive social and people living with and affected by HIV. Under HIV-specific
protection, HIV-related social programmes, HIV services are provided for free, and financial
protection, HIV-sensitive social incentives are offered to encourage access to them. Examples
protection and social protection) of this might include cash refunds to address the opportunity
costs of accessing services and free food and nutrition for
people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy or tuberculosis
treatment in order to encourage adherence to treatment.
HIV testing services (HTS) HIV testing is the gateway to HIV treatment and care, and it is
(see also client-initiated testing and critical in the scale-up of universal access to HIV prevention,
counselling (CITC) and provider- including in the context of male circumcision, elimination of
initiated testing and counselling new infections among children and antiretroviral medicine
(PITC)) based prevention approaches (including pre-exposure
prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis).
HIV treatment cascade The term HIV treatment cascade is used to refer to the
chain of events that are involved in an HIV -positive person
receiving treatment until his or her viral load is suppressed to
undetectable levels. Each step in the cascade is marked by an
assessment of the number of people who have reached that
stage, making it possible to determine where gaps might exist
in the treatment of people living with HIV. It emphasizes the
need to focus on all the required steps in order to suppress
the virus in the cohort of people living with HIV.
Terminology guidelines 27
HIV vaccine A vaccine is a substance that when introduced into the body
teaches the bodys immune system to fight off disease. An HIV
vaccine elicits an immune response by effectively making the
body create antibodies and/or cells against HIV.
homosexual The word homosexual is derived from the Greek word homos,
meaning same. It refers to people who have sex with and/or
sexual attraction to people of the same sex. This should not be
confused with the Latin word homo, meaning a man.
human immunodeficiency virus HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system, ultimately
(HIV) leading to AIDS.
human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 is the retrovirus isolated and recognized as the etiologic
type 1 (HIV-1) (i.e. causing or contributing to the cause of a disease) agent
of AIDS. HIV-1 is classified as a lentivirus in a subgroup of
retroviruses.
28 UNAIDS
human immunodeficiency virus HIV-2 is a virus closely related to HIV-1 that also has been found
type 2 (HIV-2) to cause AIDS. It was first isolated in West Africa. Although
HIV-1 and HIV-2 are similar in their viral structure, modes of
transmission and resulting opportunistic infections, they have
differed in their geographical patterns of infection and their
propensity to progress to illness and death. Compared with
HIV-1, HIV-2 is found primarily in West Africa and has a slower,
less severe clinical course.
intimate partner transmission The term intimate partner transmission (also known by its
full name, HIV transmission in intimate partner relationships)
describes the transmission of HIV to individuals from their regular
partners who inject drugs, who have sex with other people,
including with sex workers, people who inject drugs, or gay men
and other men who have sex with men.
Terminology guidelines 29
intimate partner violence (IPV) Intimate partner violence is behaviour within an intimate
relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological
harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion,
psychological abuse and controlling behaviours (10). It is one
of the most common forms of violence against women with
one in three women globally experiencing IPV in their lifetime
(11).
investment case An investment case is a document that makes the case for
optimized HIV investments. At its core, it is a description
of returns on investment in a countrys optimized HIV
response over the long term (typically more than 10 years).
It summarizes the state of the epidemic and the response,
describing the prioritized interventions to be implemented
and the populations and geographic areas that should be
focused onin order to achieve the greatest impact, indicating
the resources required. It also outlines the main access,
delivery, quality and efficiency issues to be addressed in order
to improve HIV services, and it describes what will be done to
address these issues. Finally, it includes an analysis of (and
plan for) realistic and more sustainable financing of the HIV
response, incorporating increases in domestic financing where
relevant.
30 UNAIDS
key populations (see also young key UNAIDS considers gay men and other men who have sex
populations) with men, sex workers and their clients, transgender people,
people who inject drugs and prisoners and other incarcerated
people as the main key population groups. These populations
often suffer from punitive laws or stigmatizing policies,
and they are among the most likely to be exposed to HIV.
Their engagement is critical to a successful HIV response
everywherethey are key to the epidemic and key to the
response. Countries should define the specific populations
that are key to their epidemic and response based on the
epidemiological and social context.
know your epidemic, know your UNAIDS uses the expression know your epidemic, know your
response response to emphasize the approach to programme planning
that uses granular data analysis to tailor the HIV response
accordingly.
lesbian (see also women who have A lesbian is a woman attracted to other women. She may or
sex with women (WSW)) may not be having sex with women, and a woman having sex
with women may or may not be a lesbian. The term women
who have sex with women should be used unless individuals
or groups self-identify as lesbians.
Terminology guidelines 31
loss/lost to follow-up This term refers to patients/research participants who at one
point in time were actively participating in a clinical research trial,
but who have since become lost at the point of follow-up. It also
can refer to people who have registered to receive some kind of
health service or commodity at a point in time, but who have not
done so until completion, instead dropping out of care/treatment.
32 UNAIDS
men who have sex with men The term men who have sex with men describes males who have
(see also gay) sex with males, regardless of whether or not they also have sex
with women or have a personal or social gay or bisexual identity.
This concept is useful because it also includes men who self-
identify as heterosexual but who have sex with other men.
migrant worker The term migrant worker refers to a person who is engaged (or
has been engaged) in a remunerated activity in a state of which
he or she is not a national (14). Internal migration, including
for seasonal work, may also be important in the context of HIV
epidemics in some countries.
migration and forced The term migration is used mainly for economic migration,
displacement while the term forced displacement applies to asylum seekers,
refugees, internally displaced persons and stateless persons.
The term populations in humanitarian crisis situations refers both
to forcibly displaced populations and non-displaced populations
that are in crisis settings.
Millennium Development Goals Eight goals were agreed to at the Millennium Summit in September
(MDGs) 2000. While Goal 6 refers specifically to halting and reversing HIV
and other infectious diseases, a lack of progress across other
MDGs may seriously curtail progress in tackling HIV; conversely,
success in attaining other MDGs is being hampered by the HIV
epidemic. For more information, see www.un.org/millenniumgoals.
mobile worker The term mobile worker refers to a large category of persons who
may cross borders or move within their own country on a frequent
and short-term basis for a variety of work-related reasons. This is
done without changing their primary residence or home base.
Terminology guidelines 33
modes of transmission Modes of transmission is an abbreviation for study of HIV incidence
by modes of transmission. It refers to an epidemiological model
developed by UNAIDS to help countries calculate HIV incidence
by mode of transmission. The model incorporates biological and
behavioural inputs, such as HIV and sexually transmitted infection
prevalence, risk behaviours and transmission probabilities. Review
and analysis of available epidemiological and programmatic
dataalong with an assessment of a countrys current resource
allocationagainst the findings of the modes of transmission
modelling facilitates an analysis of the likely effectiveness of the
existing response for the consideration of decision-makers. This
process is sometimes referred to as know your epidemic, know
your response or tailor your response.
34 UNAIDS
multidrug-resistant tuberculosis MDR-TB is a specific form of drug-resistant tuberculosis,
(MDR-TB) caused by a bacillus that is resistant to at least isoniazid and
rifampicin, the two drugs that form the backbone of standard anti-
tuberculosis treatment.
National AIDS spending NASA describes the flow of resources spent in the HIV response
assessment (NASA) from their origin to the beneficiary populations. It provides
decision-makers with strategic information that allow countries
to mobilize resources, and have a stronger accountability and a
more efficient and effective programme implementation. NASA
is a tool within the national monitoring and evaluation framework
and is a recommended measurement tool to track HIV spending
at the country level. For more details, see http://www.unaids.org/
en/dataanalysis/datatools/nasapublicationsandtools.
national strategic plan (NSP) Other terms related to NSP are national AIDS action frameworks
and annual AIDS action plans. Abbreviations should be avoided,
especially in this instance, because NSP can also mean needle
syringe programmes.
Terminology guidelines 35
noncommunicable diseases Noncommunicable diseases are a group of chronic diseases that
(NCDs) account for 68% (in 2012) of all deaths worldwide. The WHO
Global Action Plan focuses on four major noncommunicable
diseases: cardiovascular diseases (including high blood pressure
and atherosclerosis that causes heart attacks and stroke);
cancer (despite the fact that many cancers, including major
killers such as cervical cancer, are in fact caused by viruses or
are associated with HIV, such as Kaposis sarcoma); chronic
respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary
disease and asthma); and diabetes. These four major groups
of conditions also share four major risk factors: tobacco use,
unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.
Other causes of disability and death that are not communicable
such as road traffic injuriesare not generally included within
the term NCDs, nor are mental health or degenerative and other
neurological diseases.
opioid substitution treatment or Opioid substitution therapy is the recommended form of drug
therapy (OST) dependence treatment for people who are dependent on
opioids. It has proved to be effective in the treatment of opioid
dependence, in the prevention of HIV transmission and in the
improvement of adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The most
common drugs used in OST are methadone and buprenorphine.
36 UNAIDS
parent-to-child transmission See also mother-to-child transmission.
population and location In the context of HIV, population and location or local epidemic
(see also key populations) is a concept that is used to help prioritize programme activities
within the HIV response. It refers to the need to focus on
specific areas and specific populations where there is high HIV
prevalence or incidence. The result of using a population and
location approach will be a more efficient HIV response based on
a more distilled knowledge of the HIV epidemic in the country.
positive health, dignity and The term positive health, dignity and prevention frames HIV
prevention prevention policies and programmes within a human rights
perspective in which preventing HIV transmission is viewed as
a shared responsibility of all individuals, irrespective of their
HIV status. It was coined in April 2009 during an international
meeting organized by the Global Network of People Living with
HIV (GNP+) and UNAIDS, and its goal is to replace terms such
as positive prevention or prevention by and for positives, in order
to avoid dehumanizing people by using labels to refer to them.
Encompassing strategies to protect sexual and reproductive
health and to delay HIV disease progression, the term includes
individual health promotion, access to HIV and sexual and
reproductive health services, community participation, advocacy
and policy change.
poverty reduction strategy paper Poverty reduction strategy papers are prepared by Member
(PRSP) States through a participatory process involving domestic
stakeholders and external development partners, including the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. For more
information, see www.imf.org/external/np/prsp/prsp.asp.
Terminology guidelines 37
prevalence Usually given as a percentage, HIV prevalence quantifies the
proportion of individuals in a population who are living with HIV
at a specific point in time. HIV prevalence also can refer to the
number of people living with HIV. UNAIDS normally reports HIV
prevalence among people aged 1549 years.
prisons and other closed Prisons and other closed settings refers to places of detention
settings that hold people who are awaiting trial, who have been convicted
or who are subject to other conditions of security. These settings
may differ in some jurisdictions, and they can include jails,
prisons, police detention, juvenile detention, remand/pretrial
detention, forced labour camps and penitentiaries. There is a
need to be inclusive in the language used to describe prisoners
and other incarcerated people. Universal access to HIV
prevention, treatment, care and support ideally should extend to
these settings.
provider-initiated testing and Provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) refers to HIV
counselling (PITC) (see also testing and counselling that is recommended by health-care
client-initiated testing and providers to people attending health-care facilities as a standard
counselling (CITC) and HIV component of medical care. It is offered routinely to all people
testing services (HTS)) attending a service (such as pregnant women attending antenatal
care) and is recommended as an opt-out approach; that is, it
remains voluntary and the decision not to take the test is left with
the patient.
38 UNAIDS
reproductive health Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and
to its functions and processes. It implies that people are able
to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the
capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and
how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition are the rights
of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe,
effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning
of their choice, as well as other methods of their choice for
regulation of fertility that are not against the law, and the right
of access to appropriate health-care services that will enable
women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide
couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant (15).
reproductive rights Reproductive rights embrace certain human rights that are
already recognized in national laws, international human rights
documents and other consensus documents. These rights rest
on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals
to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing
of their children and to have the information and means to do
so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and
reproductive health. It also includes their right to make decisions
concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and
violence, as expressed in human rights documents. In the
exercise of this right, they should take into account the needs of
their living and future children and their responsibilities towards
the community (15).
Terminology guidelines 39
risk compensation The term risk compensation is used to describe a compensatory
increase in behaviours carrying a risk of HIV exposure that
occurs as a result of a reduced perception of personal risk. For
example, because circumcision provides partial protection from
HIV, a circumcised man may think that he can no longer acquire
HIV and may stop using condoms consistently. Another would
be the perception that protection from infection is less important
because treatment is becoming more available. Tailored effective
communication strategies aim to minimize risk compensation
when new, partially protective prevention tools are introduced.
second generation surveillance Second generation surveillance for HIV is the regular and
systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting and
use of information to track and describe changes in the HIV
epidemic over time. In addition to HIV surveillance and AIDS case
reporting, second generation surveillance includes behavioural
surveillance to track trends in risk behaviours over time in order
to identify or explain changes in levels of infection and the
monitoring of sexually transmissible infections in populations at
risk of acquiring HIV. These different components achieve greater
or lesser significance depending on the surveillance needs of a
country, as determined by the nature of the epidemic
it is facing.
40 UNAIDS
seroprevalence (see also As related to HIV infection, seroprevalence is the proportion of
seronegative and seropositive) people who have serologic evidence of HIV infection
(i.e. antibodies to HIV) at any given time.
sex (see also gender) The term sex refers to biologically determined differences that
are used to label individuals as males or females. The bases for
this classification are reproductive organs and functions.
sexual and reproductive health This term refers to programmes, supplies and multi-integrated
package services to ensure that people are able to have not only a
responsible, satisfying and safer sex life, but also the capability
to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to
do so. It is particularly important that this decision be free of any
inequality based on socioeconomic status, education level, age,
ethnicity, religion or resources available in their environment.
sexual and reproductive health Sexual and reproductive health programmes and policies
programmes and policies include, but are not restricted to, the following: services for
family planning; infertility services; maternal and newborn health
services; prevention of unsafe abortion and post-abortion care;
prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; diagnosis
and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
infection, reproductive tract infections, cervical cancer and other
gynaecological morbidities; promotion of sexual health, including
sexuality counselling; and prevention and management of
gender-based violence.
Terminology guidelines 41
sexual health Sexual health is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction
or infirmityit is a state of physical, emotional, mental and
social well-being in relation to sexuality. Sexual health requires
a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual
relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and
safe sexual experiences that are free of coercion, discrimination
and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained,
the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and
fulfilled (19).
sexual orientation The term sexual orientation refers to each persons capacity for
profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to (and
intimate and sexual relations with) individuals of any sex. SOGI,
an often used abbreviation, stands for sexual orientation, gender
identity.
sexual rights Sexual rights embrace a human right that already are recognized
in many national laws, international human rights documents
and other consensus statements: the right of all persons to the
highest attainable standard of sexual health, free of coercion,
discrimination and violence. This includes the following:
accessing sexual and reproductive health-care services; seeking,
receiving and imparting information related to sexuality; obtaining
sexuality education; enjoying respect for bodily integrity; choosing
a partner; deciding to be sexually active or not; participating in
consensual sexual relations; engaging in consensual marriage;
determining whether or not (and when) to have children; and
pursuing a satisfying, safe and pleasurable sexual life (19).
social change communication Social change communication is the strategic use of advocacy,
(see also behaviour change communication and social mobilization to systematically facilitate
communication) and accelerate change in the underlying determinants of HIV risk,
vulnerability and impact. It enables communities and national
AIDS programmes to tackle structural barriers to effective
AIDS responses, such as gender inequality, violation of human
rights and HIV-related stigma. Social change communication
programmes act as catalysts for action at the individual,
community and policy levels.
42 UNAIDS
social determinants of health The social determinants of health are defined by WHO as the
conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.
These circumstances (which include the health system) are
shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources
at the global, national and local levels, and these factors are
themselves influenced by policy choices.
social protection (see also Social protection has been defined as all public and private
comprehensive social protection, initiatives that provide income or consumption transfers to the
HIV-related social protection, poor, protect the vulnerable against livelihood risks, and enhance
HIV-sensitive social protection social status and rights of the marginalized; with the overall
and HIV-specific social objective of reducing the economic and social vulnerability of the
protection) poor, vulnerable and marginalized groups (20).
standard precautions The expression standard precautions has now replaced universal
precautions. It describes standard infection control practices
including the use of gloves, barrier clothing, masks and goggles
(when anticipating splatter)to be used universally in health-care
settings in order to minimize the risk of exposure to pathogens
found in tissue, blood and body fluids.
Terminology guidelines 43
stigma and discrimination Stigma is derived from a Greek word meaning a mark or stain,
and it refers to beliefs and/or attitudes. Stigma can be described
as a dynamic process of devaluation that significantly discredits
an individual in the eyes of others, such as when certain
attributes are seized upon within particular cultures or settings
and defined as discreditable or unworthy. When stigma is acted
upon, the result is discrimination.
strategic use of antiretrovirals/ A collective term that refers to the different strategies for using
ARVs antiretroviral medicines for HIV prevention and treatment.
These include the following: antiretroviral medicines given to
treat HIV-positive individuals in order to reduce HIV-related
morbidity and mortality (antiretroviral therapy); antiretroviral
medicine prophylaxis for pregnant women living with HIV to
prevent HIV transmission to their infants (PMTCT); antiretroviral
medicines given to HIV-positive individuals in order to prevent
HIV transmission (e.g. in serodiscordant relationships); and
antiretroviral medicines given to HIV-negative individuals in order
to prevent HIV acquisition (PrEP or PEP). The use of topical
antiretrovirals to prevent HIV acquisition (topical PrEP) is still
being researched, and it is not generally included within the term
strategic use of antiretrovirals.
structural interventions Structural interventions are those that seek to alter the physical,
legal and social environment in which individual behaviour takes
place. They also can aim to remove barriers to protective action
or to create constraints to risk-taking.
44 UNAIDS
sustainable development goals The agreement of Member States to launch a process to
(SDGs) develop a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) was
one of the main outcomes of the Rio+20 Conference. The
SDGs will build upon the MDGs and provide a framework for
the post-2015 development agenda.
systemic factors Systemic factors are factors inherent in a system that preclude
individual and isolated factors. This relates to how systems
function and allocate resources.
technical support facility (TSF) UNAIDS established technical support facilities (TSFs) in
2005 to provide timely and quality technical support to ensure
the most efficient and effective use of the resources available
in response to the epidemic. TSFs are small management
teams hosted by existing regional institutions that facilitate
access to technical support for country partners. TSFs cover
over 80 countries in Africa and Asia.
Terminology guidelines 45
ten targets of the 2011 United 1. Reduce sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015.
Nations Political Declaration on
2. Reduce transmission of HIV among people who inject
HIV and AIDS
drugs by 50% by 2015.
test and treat Test and treat is sometimes used as a way of referring to
voluntary HIV testing and the offer of antiretroviral therapy
after diagnosis, irrespective of WHO clinical stage or CD4
cell count. The voluntary nature of both testing and treatment
should be emphasized to ensure that individual autonomy is
respected.
46 UNAIDS
three Is for HIV/TB The three Is for HIV/TBisoniazid preventive treatment,
intensified case finding for active tuberculosis and
tuberculosis infection control and early antiretroviral therapy
(per national guidelines) and for active TB (irrespective of
CD4 count)are key public health strategies to decrease the
impact of tuberculosis on people living with HIV, their partners
and family, and the community.
Terminology guidelines 47
tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading HIV-associated opportunistic
infection in low- and middle- income countries, and it is a
leading cause of death globally among people living with HIV.
The term HIV-associated tuberculosis or HIV-associated TB
should be used, rather than the shorthand HIV/TB, in order to
distinguish such instances from tuberculosis per se.
unfunded quality demand Unfunded quality demand is a term introduced by the Global
Fund to define funding requested through a concept note that
is considered by the Technical Review Panel to be technically
sound but beyond the funding amount available (indicative
funding and any additional incentive funding awarded). An
unfunded quality demand is registered for up to three years
for possible funding by the Global Fund or other donors when
(and if) new resources become available.
UNGASS Declaration of In June 2001, the Special Session of the United Nations
Commitment on HIV/AIDS General Assembly on HIV/AIDS adopted the Declaration of
Commitment on HIV/AIDS, in which Member States made
a commitment to provide regular country progress reports.
The UNAIDS Secretariat is entrusted with the responsibility
of developing the reporting process, accepting reports from
Member States and preparing a report for the General
Assembly.
48 UNAIDS
universal access Universal access implies maximal coverage of HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support services for those who require
them. Basic principles for scaling up towards universal access
are that services must be equitable, accessible, affordable,
comprehensive and sustainable over the long term. Because
different settings often have different needs, targets for
universal access are set nationally.
violence against women (VAW) Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to
result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering
to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private
life (21).
voluntary medical male Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is the surgical
circumcision (VMMC) removal of the foreskin, the tissue covering the head
of the penis where cells highly receptive to the human
immunodeficiency virus are located. There is compelling
evidence that circumcision can significantly reduce the risk of
HIV transmission.
Terminology guidelines 49
wasting See acute malnutrition.
women who have sex with women The term women who have sex with women (including
(see also lesbian) adolescents and young women) includes not only women who
self-identify as lesbian or homosexual and have sex only with
other women, but also bisexual women and women who self-
identify as heterosexual, but who have sex with other women.
young key populations (see also The term specifically refers to young people aged 15 to
key populations) 24years who are members of key populations, such as young
people living with HIV, young gay men and other men who
have sex with men, young transgender people, young people
who inject drugs and young people (18 years and older)
who sell sex. Young key populations often have needs that
are unique, and their meaningful participation is critical to a
successful HIV response.
50 UNAIDS
ORGANIZATIONS
Cosponsors
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has the following 11 Cosponsors (written with
a capital C and no hyphen), listed in the following order:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) [see www.unhcr.org]
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) [see www.
unwomen.org]
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) [see www.unesco.org]
Note that these abbreviations are normally used without the definite article (the) or without full stops (i.e.
UNHCR, not U.N.H.C.R.).
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, established in 2001, is an independent publicpri-
vate partnership. The purpose of the Global Fund is to attract, manage and disburse additional resources
to make a sustainable and significant contribution to mitigate the impact caused by HIV, tuberculosis and
malaria in countries in need, while contributing to poverty reduction as part of the Millennium Development
Goals. When indicating the organization in text, spell out the title in full at its first usage; thereafter, refer to
the Global Fund (and not GFATM). For more information, see www.theglobalfund.org.
PAHO is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System and serves as the Regional Office for
the Americas of WHO. For more information, see www.paho.org.
Terminology guidelines 51
UN Cares
UN-Globe
A UN staff group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees at the United Nations. For more
information, see http://www.unglobe.org.
UN Plus
The objectives of UN Plus are to create a more enabling environment for all HIV-positive staff members
(irrespective of the level of disclosure of their HIV status), to create an organized and effective voice for
people living with HIV within the UN system, and to contribute to the development and improvement of
existing policies on HIV among the UN agencies. For more information, see www.unplus.org.
UNITAID
Launched by Brazil, Chile, France, Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at
the UN General Assembly in September 2006, UNITAID is an innovative financing mechanism that leverages
price reductions for quality diagnostics and medicines against HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, primarily for
people in low-income countries. UNITAID has since expanded to include more than 29 countries and the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; some of these members are providing multiyear budgetary contributions,
while others have placed a solidarity tax on airline tickets. UNITAID is committed to a pro-health approach
to intellectual property and is hosted at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva. For more information, see
http://www.unitaid.eu.
WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation. For more
information, see www.wipo.org.
52 UNAIDS
FURTHER RESOURCES
Language
UNAIDS uses British English as its preferred style. When using common word processing packages, it is
useful to set this as the default style when the option is available.
Style guide
UNAIDS uses the UNAIDS editorial style guide, September 2015 update, which is based on the WHO style
guide.
Dictionaries
UNAIDS uses the Concise Oxford English dictionary. Another useful resource is A dictionary of epidemiology
(Fifth Edition), edited by Miquel Porta, Sander Greenland and John M. Last, published by Oxford University
Press (2008).
Glossaries
The Internet is a rich source of information about HIV, and the following links to glossaries may be useful.
The glossaries are usually clear and accurate in the information they provide, but please note that UNAIDS
cannot verify the accuracy of information on these sites and accepts no responsibility for the information
provided there.
http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/education-materials/glossary
http://www.aidsmap.com/Glossary
Terminology guidelines 53
TERMS BY SUBJECT
Antiretrovirals and treatment
Community
community response
community systems
community systems strengthening (CSS)
faith-based organization
Enabling environment
coverage rate
epidemic
epidemiology
incidence
know your epidemic, know your response
modes of transmission
prevalence
second generation surveillance
seroprevalence
surveillance
54 UNAIDS
Gender and sexuality
bisexual
gay
gay men and other men who have sex with men
gender
gender-based violence
gender equality
gender identity
gender-related barriers
gender-responsive
gender-sensitive
gender-specific
gender-transformative
harmful gender norms
heterosexual
homophobia
homophobic rape
homosexual
intersex
lesbian
masculinities
men who have sex with men
school-related gender-based violence
sex
sexual health
sexual orientation
transgender
transphobia
women who have sex with women
Health care/education/sector/systems
caregiver or carer
comprehensive sexuality education
health care
health education
health sector
health system
health systems strengthening
loss/lost to follow-up
reproductive health
sexual health
Terminology guidelines 55
HIV
antiretrovirals (ARVs)
behaviour change communication
combination HIV prevention
contaminated injecting equipment
dual protection
harm reduction
microbicides
multipurpose technologies
needlesyringe programme
opioid substitution therapy (OST)
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
risk
risk compensation
safer sex
social change communication
standard precautions
universal precautions
voluntary medical male circumcision
56 UNAIDS
HIV testing and counselling
commercial sex
key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure
injecting drug users
migrant worker
migration
mobile worker
person/people who inject[s] drugs
person/people who use[s] drugs
person/people with disabilities
prisons and other closed settings
sex work
sex worker
young key populations
maternal mortality
mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)
parent-to-child transmission
vertical transmission
Partnerships
age-disparate relationships
concurrent sexual partnerships
cross-generational relationships
intergenerational relationships
Programming
Terminology guidelines 57
Rights, empowerment, stigma and discrimination
Sexual transmission
condomless sex
intimate partner transmission
sexually transmitted infections
accountability
country dialogue
development synergies
full expression of demand
Global Fund concept note
Global Fund Funding Model
incentive funding
investment approach
investment case
unfunded quality demand
58 UNAIDS
REFERENCES
1. Disability and health. Fact sheet N352. World Health Organization (WHO) Reviewed December
2014 (available from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs352/en/; accessed 3 February
2015)
3. Leclerc-Madlala S. et al. Age-disparate and intergenerational sex in southern Africa: the dynamics of
hypervulnerability. AIDS. 2008;22 Suppl 4:S1725.
4. Community systems strengthening framework. Revised edition. The Global Fund, February 2014.
5. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UNAIDS, United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and WHO.
International technical guidance on sexuality education. Volume I. Paris: UNESCO, 2009.
6. From evidence to action: advocating for comprehensive sexuality education. London: International
Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), 2009.
7. UNDP and UNAIDS. Understanding and acting on critical enablers and development synergies for
strategic investments. New York: UNDP, 2012.
9. Concepts and definitions [website]. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equity and the
Empowerment of Women (UN Women)(available from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/
conceptsandefinitions.htm, accessed 11 August 2014).
10. WHO and UNAIDS. 16 ideas for addressing violence against women in the context of HIV epidemic:
a programming tool. Geneva: WHO, 2013.
11. Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate
partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. Geneva. World Health Organization. 2013.
(available http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/85239/1/9789241564625_eng.pdf?ua=1, accessed
25June 2015).
Terminology guidelines 59
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