HIV risk behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Thailand: baseline behavioral data from Project Accept
Genberg, B.L.; Kulich, M.; Kawichai, S.; Modiba, P.; Chingono, A.; Kilonzo, G.P.; Richter, L.; Pettifor, A.; Sweat, M.; Celentano, D.D.; Abler, L.; Bamanyisa, C.; Beyrer, C.; Carrico, A.W.; Celentano, D.D.; Chariyalertsak, S.; Chingono, A.; Chovenye, L.; Curran, K.; Coates, T.J.; Donnell, D.; Fiamma, A.; Fritz, K.; Frohlich, J.; Genberg, B.; Gray, G.; Gregowski, A.; Hausler, H.; Hogan, N.M.; Abdool Karim, S.; Kawichai, S.; Kevany, S.; Khumalo-Sakutukwa, G.; Kilonzo, G.P.; Kulich, M.; Lane, T.; L
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 49(3): 309-319
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1525-4135 PMID: 18845954 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e3181893ed0Document Number: 203556
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. 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. 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. 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.