HIV Risk Behaviors in Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Thailand: Baseline Behavioral Data from Project Accept

Citation

Genberg, Becky L.; Kulich, Michal; Kawichai, Surinda; Modiba, Precious; Chingono, Alfred; Kilonzo, Gad P.; Richter, Linda M.; Pettifor, Audrey E.; Sweat, Michael D.; & Celentano, David D., for the NIMH Project Accept Study Team (HPTN 043) (2008). HIV Risk Behaviors in Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Thailand: Baseline Behavioral Data from Project Accept. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 49(3), 309-319. PMCID: PMC2643066

Abstract

Background: Of 2.5 million new HIV infections worldwide in 2007, most occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. We present the baseline data on HIV risk behaviors and HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa and northern Thailand from Project Accept, a community-randomized controlled trial of community mobilization, mobile voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), and posttest support services.
Methods: A random household probability sample of individuals aged 18-32 years yielded a sample of 14,657, with response rates ranging from 84%-94% across the 5 sites (Thailand, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and 2 in South Africa). Individuals completed an interviewer-administered survey on demographic characteristics, HIV risk behaviors, and history of VCT.
Results: In multivariate analysis, females, married individuals, less educated with 1 sexual partner in the past 6 months were more likely to have had unprotected intercourse in the previous 6 months. Rates of lifetime HIV testing ranged from 5.4% among males in Zimbabwe to 52.6% among females in Soweto.
Conclusions: Significant risk of HIV acquisition in Project Accept communities exists despite 2 decades of prevention efforts. Low levels of recent HIV testing suggest that increasing awareness of HIV status through accessible VCT services may reduce HIV transmission.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181893ed0

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2008

Journal Title

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Author(s)

Genberg, Becky L.
Kulich, Michal
Kawichai, Surinda
Modiba, Precious
Chingono, Alfred
Kilonzo, Gad P.
Richter, Linda M.
Pettifor, Audrey E.
Sweat, Michael D.
Celentano, David D., for the NIMH Project Accept Study Team (HPTN 043)

PMCID

PMC2643066

ORCiD

Pettifor - 0000-0002-3387-0817