BASE-LINE FOR THE EVALUATION OF AN AIDS PROGRAM USING PREVENTION INDICATORS - A CASE-STUDY IN ETHIOPIA

Strategies for preventing transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) include ensuring that individuals have adequate knowledge of ho w HIV infection can be prevented and encouraging behaviours that decre ase risk of HIV infection. In addition, there is evidence that early a nd appropriate management of other sexually transmitted disease is eff ective in reducing HIV transmission. Programmes and projects promoting prevention of HIV transmission should be evaluated periodically for t heir effectiveness. Between March and September 1995, ten prevention i ndicators developed by the WHO Global Programme on AIDS were used to e stablish a baseline measure for evaluating the effectiveness of the Et hiopian AIDS control programme. The indicators were measured using a s tructured population survey through record review and key informants, structured observation and interview in health care facilities, and th rough a serosurvey among antenatal clinic attenders. The following res ults were found: promoting knowledge of preventive practices was succe ssful; a relatively high proportion of young male adults had sexual ri sk behaviour; poor condom availability outside Addis Ababa, the capita l; and very weak STD case management. The prevalence of syphilis and H IV were 8.8% and 13.6%, respectively, among pregnant women aged 15-49 years. These results should serve as a baseline for repeat surveys to assess the effectiveness of HIV prevention programmes in Ethiopia.