Page 42 1) Prevention Prevention is the principal component of the strategy. The basic component, which used to be known as Information-Education-Communication (IEC), is now referred to as “Behaviour Change Communication” (BCC) and consists in raising awareness among the general population and risk groups in particular about the following: - Modes of transmission; - Prevention methods based on responsible sexual behaviour and the use of one-time or sterile medical equipment; - Transfusion safety which means reducing blood transfusions to a minimum and only prescribing them if absolutely necessary, subject to prior screening of the blood to be transfused. To this end, a network of laboratories equipped with HIV testing materials will be set up in all the health districts. A blood transfusion guide has been prepared. - Free, voluntary screening; - Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT); - Modules on Aids prevention and control have been integrated into school curricula. This selected approach is both global and systematic. An ever-increasing number of women benefit from this service and they have an average rate of consent to screening of almost 63 per cent. Pregnant women who test HIV positive and their new born babies are given nevirapine free of charge. 2) The Effective Treatment of Sick, Infected or Affected Persons, Orphans and Parents Initially treatment was difficult due to the exorbitant cost (CFA 300,000.00) of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Today, the Government has opted for universal access to treatment and has been subsidising ARVs since 2003. This has led to a drastic reduction in costs to CFA 15,000 and to a further reduction in 2004 to CFA 7,000 and 3,000 depending on the protocol. Treatment is free for children between 0 to 15 years and this facility has been extended to adults.