The authors describe the HIV/AIDS pandemy in Africa from the point of view of its social impact and evaluate solution priorities in respect to limited financial resources. The restriction of financial resources stress the primary role of prevention, i.e. health education, whose positive effect is shown on examples from several countries. Using a British study of cost effectiveness analysis of antenatal screening of syphilis, the authors document the inevitability of cost-benefit calculation in health care even in highly developed countries.

        Key words: HIV/AIDS - socioeconomial impact - prevention - health education