South African national household survey of HIV/AIDS prevalence, behavioural risks and mass media impact--detailed methodology and response rate results.

Objectives: To describe the methodology used in a recent survey of HIV/AIDS in South Africa and to present the response rates.

Methods: A cross-sectional, national household-based survey was conducted using second-generation surveillance procedures. A complex multistage sampling technique was used to create a master sample of 1,000 census enumerator areas out of a total of 86,000 nationally.