The following is a list of some of the publications I have co-authoured in the scientific journals. Note that the copyright for many of these papers is held by the journals in which they were published. They are reproduced here for reference only; enquiries about use of information or data should be addressed to the publishers of the journal in question. See copyright page for further information.

HIV risk in Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan: an emerging epidemic in injecting and commercial sex networks

Asma Bokhari, Naseer M Nizamani et al. HIV risk in Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan: an emerging epidemic in injecting and commercial sex networks. International Journal of STD & AIDS 2007; 18: 486–492

HIV, STI and risk behaviour surveys in two cities in Pakistan. The paper describes rapidly rising HIV rates among drug injectors, and some infection in male, female and transgendered sex workers and truck drivers. Condom use was low in all groups, and HIV prevention services were negligeable.

Estimating the number of people at risk for HIV and living with HIV in China in 2005: Methods and results

Fan L, Ning W, Wu ZY et al. Estimating the number of people at risk for HIV and living with HIV in China in 2005: Methods and results Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2006 82: iii87 - iii92

Description of the process by which the number of injection drug users, sex workers, clients of sex workers and men who have sex with men in China was estimated. Estimates for the number living with HIV are also described. The results were significantly lower than previous estimates: this paper explains why.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in developing countries

French N, Kaleebu P, Pisani E, Whitworth J. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in developing countries. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 2006, Vol. 100, Nos. 5 and 6, 433-454

Commissioned as part of a centenary of the journal's publication, this review seeks to describe the epidemiology of one of the defining epidemics of the 20th century, and to summarize the lastest knowledge in HIV prevention and care.

Estimating the number of drug injectors in Indonesia

Pisani E. Estimating the number of drug injectors in Indonesia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 2006 17 (1): 35-40

Basing policy on evidence: low HIV, STIs and risk behaviour in Dili, East Timor argue for more focused interventions

Pisani E, Purnomo H, Sutrisna A et al., "Basing policy on evidence: low HIV, STIs and risk behaviour in Dili, East Timor argue for more focused interventions." Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2006 Feb;82(1):88-93

When East Timor became independent, many assumptions were made about the threat of an extensive HIV epidemic. This paper described the first attempt to measure levels of risk behaviour, sexually transmitted infections and HIV among those most at risk, including female sex workers, their clients and men who have sex with men. The study found low levels of infection and risk; the paper argues that donor and goverment money would be better invested tackling more pressing problems such as low immunisation rates and lack of reproductive health services. (For more detailed report, click here)

HIV, syphilis infection and sexual practices among transgenders, male sex workers and other men who have sex with men in Jakarta, Indonesia

Pisani E, Girault P, Gultom M, et al., "HIV, syphilis infection and sexual practices among transgenders, male sex workers and other men who have sex with men in Jakarta, Indonesia" Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2004; 80: 536 - 540

The first comprehensive study of risk behaviour, HIV and syphilis among three distinct groups of males who have anal sex in Jakarta found extremely high levels of infection among transgender sex workers, and lower levels of infection but considerable risk of exposure to HIV and other STIs among male sex workers and gay men in the Indonesian capital. The paper makes recommendations for interventions for all three groups; most of these have since been successfully implemented.

Back to Basics in HIV Prevention: Focus on Exposure

Pisani E, Garnett G, Brown T et al. "Back to Basics in HIV Prevention: Focus on Exposure." British Medical Journal, 2003; 326: 1384-1387

This paper argues that HIV prevention programmes often ignore the evidence collected by national surveillance systems, and are guided instead by fashion, donor priorities, or a misplaced sense of "equity". Using very simple models, it shows that more infections could be prevented if efforts were refocused on the situations in which HIV infected and uninfected individuals were most likely to be exchanging body fluids. A doctoral thesis develops this argument at very much greater length using the specific example of Indonesia; click here to download a pdf version.(Warning: file size 4.6 MB)

Age at first sex: understanding recent trends in African demographic surveys

Zaba B, Pisani E, Slaymaker E, et al. Age at first sex: understanding recent trends in African demographic surveys. Sex Transm Infect 2004;80(suppl_2):ii28-35

There has been much debate about the role of abstinence in reducing HIV infection, particularly in those African countries with generalised HIV epidemics. This paper examines the way age at first sex has been measured, and shows that in some cases the youngest age groups are most likely to overstate age at first sex.

Sexual behaviour among injecting drug users in three cities in Indonesia carries a high potential for HIV to spread to non-injectors

Pisani, E., Dadun et al. "Sexual behaviour among injecting drug users in three cities in Indonesia carries a high potential for HIV to spread to non-injectors." Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2003; 34(4): 403-406

Until the late 1990s, some influential epidemilogists believed that HIV epidemics driven by drug injection were unlikely to "cross over" into other populations because drug injectors are not very sexually active. This paper describes extremely high levels of unprotected sex, including commercial sex, among young drug injectors in Indonesia.

HIV surveillance: A global perspective

Pisani E, Lazzari S, Walker N, Schwartländer B. 2003. HIV surveillance: A global perspective. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 2003, 32: S3-S11

A summary of developments in the field of HIV surveillance, focusing in particular on the development of second generation surveillance systems. For related documents see the surveillance pages.

HIV, STIs, and sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Girault P, Saidel T, Ngak Song et al. "HIV, STIs, and sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Phnom Penh, Cambodia." AIDS Education and Prevention, 2004. 16(1):31-44

The first comprehensive study of HIV and STIs among men who have sex with men in the Cambodian capital. The paper describes high levels of HIV and STI infection among men who sell sex and transgenders, and provides evidence that HIV has spread from the highly-infected female sex worker population into the MSM population through men who have sex with both men and women. For full report, click here.

To stem HIV in Africa, prevent transmission to young women

Laga M, Schwartländer B, Pisani E et al. "To stem HIV in Africa, prevent transmission to young women". AIDS 2001, 15 (7): 931-934

An opinion paper based on analysis of HIV transmission patterns and risk behaviour in East and Southern Africa. The paper argues that the chain of infection is perpetuated by older men who infect young women premaritally. These women then go on to infect partners, including husbands, closer to their own age. Related report with more data.

HIV surveillance in hard-to-reach populations

Schwartländer B, Ghys P, Pisani E et al. "HIV surveillance in hard-to-reach populations." AIDS 2001 15 (suppl 3) S 1-3

A summary of the major issues facing governments and other institutions in setting up systems to collect reliable information on HIV and STI prevalence and risk behaviours in sub-populations at high risk for HIV, in ways that are affordable and replicable over time. Populations discussed include injecting drug users, transgender, male and female sex workers and their clients and other men who have sex with men.

HIV surveillance among female sex workers

Ghys P, Jenkins C, Pisani E. "HIV surveillance among female sex workers". AIDS 2001 15 (S3) S33 - S40

This paper describes the issues facing those conducting HIV surveillance among female sex workers. It discusses ethical issues and data use as well as the challenges associated with getting reliable data that correctly records trends in infection, risk behaviour and prevention service use over time.

AIDS into the 21st century: some critical considerations

Pisani E. AIDS into the 21st century: some critical considerations. Reproductive Health Matters 2000, 8(15)

A review of the successes and failures of HIV prevention during the first two decades of the global pandemic.

AIDS in Kenya and Uganda: a study in Contrasts

Pisani E. "AIDS in Kenya and Uganda: a study in Contrasts." In: McElrath K. (Ed.) HIV and AIDS: International Comparisons. Greenwood Press, Westport CT. 2001

Comparing the early HIV prevention success of Uganda with the growing epidemic in neighbouring Kenya, this chapter suggests that the willingness of a strong leader to impose agressive prevention measures and to seek support from the church and other sectors in Uganda contributed greatly to the country's better outcome.

Africa's struggle against AIDS

Pisani E. "Africa's struggle against AIDS" In: Trumbull C (Ed.) Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2000 Book of the Year. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Chicago, 2000

Encyclopaedia Britannica's recognition of the extraordinary charecteristics of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Afric

The cost of unsafe injections

Miller MA, Pisani E. "The cost of unsafe injections". Bulletin of the World Health Organisation, 1999 77 (10)

A discussion of the relative costs of auto-destruct and "single-use" (but frequently re-used) syringes, taking into account the HIV, Hepatitis and other viral infections potentially averted through use of the new technology

Data and Decision-Making

Pisani, E. "Data and Decision-Making". In Whiteside A (Ed.) Implications of AIDS for Demography and Policy in Southern Africa. University of Natal Press, 1998

An early paper on a much-revisited theme: why do data have so little influence on how HIV-related policies are made?

The Global Epidemiology of HIV

Schwartländer B, Pisani E, Mertens T. "The Global Epidemiology of HIV" In Saksena N (Ed.) Human Immunodeficiency Viruses: Biology, Immunology and Molecular Biology. Medical Systems SpA, 1998

An overview of the diverging pathways taken by HIV in different parts of the world, with implications for prevention.

The socio-demographic impact of AIDS in Africa

Pisani E "The socio-demographic impact of AIDS in Africa." African Journal of Reproductive Health, 1997 Sep, 1:2, 105-7

Written well before the full potential impact of HIV in Afica became clear, this paper nonetheless raises important issues about the virus's effect on everything from population structure to corporate profits.

Sexual Behaviour and HIV/AIDS

Pisani E. "Sexual Behaviour and HIV/AIDS" in Preventing and Mitigating AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa National Research Council 1996. National Academy Press, Washington

Commissioned by the US National Academy of Science, this chapter provides a summary of research relating to extramarital sex and HIV-related risk early in the AIDS epidemic.