AIDS has been devastating in Africa. Although HIV/AIDS is a problem elsewhere in the world, Africa is the only place that sees prevalence rates up in the double digits across multiple nations. So what, then, is the problem?
We know that there are still problems getting anti-HIV drugs to people, that other endemic diseases promote AIDS, and vice versa, and that there are quite a few treatment scams out there, despite our best efforts. We also know it's not about promiscuity, since Westerners are likely to have more partners.
Still, the question remains -- what's up? Did AIDS just get too strong a foothold in Africa, and now we're fighting back from a huge disadvantage?
John R. Talbott's thesis is that prostitution is the key to the AIDS problem in Africa. In this PLoS One article, he uses statistical analyses to support his hypothesis that African nations with high HIV/AIDS rates have high levels of infected prostitutes (that is, a large number of prostitutes, and a large percentage of those infected with HIV):
(CSWs are Commercial Sex Workers -- prostitutes)
The statistical analyses seem sound enough, and certainly this concept anecdotally fits with other reports I've read about 90% HIV infection prevalence in prostitutes who serve truck drivers in various parts of Africa.
You can read Talbott's pitch at his site, Africans Against AIDS. Read the PowerPoint for a bit more on his views. Although he equates HIV-infected prostitutes with drunk drivers, he quickly settles down into a rational, harm-reduction-based approach that seeks to punish enablers of prostitution (e.g. customers, pimps) and transition women from prostitution into subsidized jobs.
Talbott is a former Goldman Sachs investment banker, who has written books predicting various market crashes and pushing world democracy.