SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR SURVEY IN A RURAL AREA OF NORTHWEST TANZANIA

Objective: Little is known about variations in patterns of sexual beha viour in different countries, cultures, and subpopulations that determ ine the spread of HIV-1. Quantitative studies are required to improve understanding. Methods: To assess reported patterns of sexual behaviou r, we administered a standardized questionnaire to 416 men and 498 wom en aged 15-49 years from a rural population in northwest Tanzania. Res ults: Reported levels of sexual activity were highest in men and among younger age groups. The number of sexual partners and number of sex a cts per unit of time were strongly correlated: men reported 10 times a s many lifetime partners than women. Frequency of sexual partner excha nge plateaued earlier in women (by age 25 years) than in men (by age 3 5 years). For the great majority, age of first intercourse was 15 year s or younger; older subjects were older at first intercourse and had f ewer lifetime partners than younger subjects. Conclusions: This age-re lated pattern suggests that more recent birth cohorts have behaviour p atterns that increase the risk of sexually transmitted infectious agen ts such as HIV. Preventive education programmes should be targeted at young adults, who adopt higher risk profiles of frequent partner excha nge linked with first intercourse at an early age.