10th International AIDS Conference Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:403 (abstract no. PD0795)
Konings E, Bantebya G, Bagenda D; Institut universitaire de medecine sociale et preventive, Lausanne, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the WHO/GPA protocol for measuring HIV/STD priority prevention indicators pertaining to knowledge and sexual practices of the general population.

METHODS: Data were collected in Kampala, Uganda. Three interview strategies were complemented with qualitative methods including "visiting observation", key-informant interviews and daily interviewers' reports. The interview strategies were (1) the questionnaire proposed by WHO/GPA, (2) a shorter version of that questionnaire excluding rapport-building question and (3) in-depth interviews. Strategies (1) and (2) were applied to 460 randomly selected people aged 15-49 years (i.e. (mainly due to absentees) 91% of projected sample) and to 60 purposely selected people with known behaviour, namely resident prostitutes (i.e. (mainly due to refusals) 60% or projected sample). Strategy (3) was applied to a random subset of all respondents (n = 75).

RESULTS: The 3 interview strategies generated similar results for demographic characteristics and for knowledge of HIV prevention but differed with regards to behavioural indicators. In strategies (1) and (2) the number of causal sex partners, number of STD episodes and knowledge of condom outlets are lower than in strategy (3). Condom use was higher than in the in-depth interviews. The high numbers of causal sex partners of prostitutes was confirmed in strategy (3) but not (1) and (2). Strategies (1) and (2) had similar results throughout. Qualitative results suggest that casual sex, STDs and knowledge of condom outlets are common and knowledge of HIV is good. Finally, qualitative data indicate that the shorter questionnaire without rapport-building questions generated considerable discomfort and embarrassment for both interviewers and respondents.

CONCLUSION: The data suggest that a structured population survey may not be optimal to assess sexual behaviour and STD incidence but is useful in determining knowledge of HIV transmission.

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