Patterns of partnership and condom use in two communities of female sex workers in Tanzania.

Two rapid ethnographic studies have found that commercial sex workers (CSWs) and other high-risk women in Tanzania have different categories of partners, ranging from single-time contacts to long and enduring relationships. Since the advent of HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Tanzania in the late 1980s, CSWs and their clients have been aware of the multiple benefits of condom use for the prevention of pregnancy and STDs including HIV. These women often use condoms for the single-time contact.

Preventing HIV infection through peer education and condom promotion among truck drivers and their sexual partners in Tanzania, 1990-1993.

HIV prevention through peer education and condom promotion among truck drivers and their sexual partners is described. Trends during an initial 18-month intensive phase, followed by a 24-month maintenance phase, were monitored with surveys. Trends for self-reported condom use were: increase among men (56 to 74%) during the first phase with a decrease (72%) during the maintenance phase.

Lay health beliefs concerning HIV and AIDS--a barrier for control programmes.

Work in AIDS control in East Africa revealed widespread lay health beliefs concerning HIV infection and AIDS amongst health workers and members of the general population at both lower and higher risk of infection. The beliefs were often factually incorrect and undermining to AIDS control in the field of information, education and communication (IEC). The beliefs were conveyed informally but their origins could often be traced.