Are People Aware of Their HIV‐positive Status Responsible for Driving the Epidemic in Sub‐Saharan Africa? The Case of Malawi

Many have alleged that those who are now aware that they are HIV‐positive are driving the epidemic. This article reports the results of a study in Malawi that provides empirical evidence of differences in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour between HIV‐positive people and those unaware of their sero‐status. It comes to three conclusions: HIV‐positive people report better knowledge and attitudes; there is substantially higher safer‐sex practice among those aware of their HIV‐positive status; and the assertion that the epidemic is spread by those aware of their positive sero‐status is unsubstantiated. The overall message is that there is a need to accelerate both HIV testing and positive‐prevention work.