Although many surveys have been undertaken to assess the gaps in understanding and behaviors related to AIDS, their use in designing program interventions is less well developed. This paper explores ways in which community survey data on knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding HIV/AIDS is being used to inform and improve activities to respond to the pandemic in a child survival program in central Mozambique. The program's baseline survey data from 1999 has guided the development of planned activities and prompted the development of new interventions to respond to the rapidly increasing levels of HIV infection in that region. Specific survey responses found particularly useful were: sources of information about AIDS; personal knowledge of persons who had AIDS and persons who had died of AIDS; understanding of the latency period; perceptions of personal risk; beliefs about educating children about AIDS; and attitudes towards persons with AIDS. Substantial geographic differences in the response patterns and strong associations between several important variables added important information. Some of the programmatic responses to date are: the development of "youth corners" for HIV/AIDS and reproductive health education and other services at clinics and neighborhood centers; community education via street theatre; providing STD services for sex workers at a night clinic in a high-risk area of a major city; school-based clubs to educate and motivate youth; and assisting community councils to develop their own plans to respond to the threat of AIDS in their community. Including all key institutions in developing approaches has been critical.
Learning Objectives: The participant will be able to 1) describe several types of survey information that have been most useful in guiding the development of community-based interventions related to HIV/AIDS, and 2) explain how each type of information can be used to improve a programmatic response to HIV/AIDS.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.