RISK BEHAVIORS AND AIDS KNOWLEDGE IN A RURAL-COMMUNITY OF SENEGAL - RELATIONSHIP WITH SOURCES OF AIDS INFORMATION

Background The objective of this paper is to describe sources of infor mation on HIV/AIDS and their relationship with AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behaviour in a rural area of south Senegal. Methods A cross -sectional study using a standardized questionnaire was administered i n 1994 by local interviewers to 240 men and 242 women aged 15-59 years , randomly selected from the general population. Results Sources of HI V/AIDS information most frequently cited were radio for men (61% of me n) and the local health centre for women (52% of women). Among men, ci ting radio as a source of information was associated with an improved overall AIDS-related knowledge (a seven-questions based average score was 4.30 for men citing radio acquired information and 5.90 for men no t citing radio acquired information; P < 10(-4)) and was associated wi th a smaller number of casual sexual partners in the 12 months precedi ng the interview (1.94 versus 1.48; P = 0.04). Women citing the local health centre as a source of HIV/AIDS information had a better percept ion of condom use and more often felt threatened by HIV/AIDS, but did not declare a significantly different number of casual sex partners in the 12 months preceding the interview. Television as a source was cit ed by 42% of men and 33% of women and was associated with an increased AIDS-knowledge score for men, with a smaller number of casual sex par tners for women and with better perception of condoms for men. Conclus ion Because of its large spread and impact, radio appears to be an eff icient way to reduce risk-taking behaviour among men. In addition, it is a very convenient way to reach people with high mobility such as ma le seasonal migrants. For women, attendance at health centres for mate rnity purposes is an opportunity to receive prevention messages. Final ly numerous men and women have had the opportunity to watch television when they are in towns during the migration period. This method seems to deliver effective messages.