Knowledge, attitudes and perception of AIDS in rural Senegal: relationship to sexual behaviour and behaviour change.

ABSTRACT

PIP: 240 men and 242 women, randomly selected, aged 15-59 years were questioned by local interviewers about their sexual behavior in this study on the determinants of risky sexual behavior and the perception of AIDS-related prevention messages in rural Africa. 28% of the sexually active men and 27% of the sexually active women reported having at least one casual sex partner during the 12 months preceding the interview. Among these, 27% of men and 30% of women reported having used a condom in most acts of sexual intercourse with casual partners. Male seasonal migrant workers and widowed and divorced women were more likely to report engaging in casual sex. These individuals in the area of study are particularly at risk for exposure to HIV infection. Casual sex was motivated by material needs among 66% of women who experienced it. Women who reported engaging in such behavior were less likely to feel at risk of AIDS. The perception of a real threat of personal vulnerability to contracting HIV lead men to adopt protective behaviors.