RESULTS OF A PRELIMINARY-STUDY ON FACTORS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL SPREAD OF HIV AND OTHERS SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN RURAL WEST-AFRICA

A pilot study has been carried out in two Senegalese rural communities in January-February 1996 in order to evaluate the feasibility of a st udy that is being launched in several rural sites in West Africa. This study aims to shed light on the factors of HIV infection and other se xually transmitted diseases. A sample of 100 adults were asked to answ er a questionnaire on at risk behaviors for these infections. Few of t hem have refused to answer the questionnaire: 9% (6/66) in a first sit e and 3% (1/34) in the other site. Interviewers', remarks made after t his pilot study showed that sex and age of interviewer and interviewee must be matched and that they must know each other so as to establish a relation of confidence. Participation to the biological part of the study may prove to be poor since, in each two communities, 27 % and 4 0 % of the interviewees declared they would refuse to provide a blood sample if asked, Finally: preliminary results suggest that at risk sex ual behaviors and motivation of casual sex may be different between th e two communities. The present pilot study shows that the use of our q uestionnaire is possible among rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa . However, it will be necessary to further explain the importance of t he biological part of the study to achieve a satisfactory participatio n rate.