Rapid KABP survey for evaluation of NGO HIV/AIDS prevention projects

The Johns Hopkins University HAPA Support Program (HSP) provided technical assistance to Save the Children (SC), a U.S.-based nongovernmental organization, to conduct a survey of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABP) related to AIDS among rural Zimbabweans. The objectives of the HSP technical assistance were to field test a rapid KABP survey methodology and to assist SC to provide data that would contribute to their final project evaluation. The entire process of planning, implementation, preliminary data analysis, and preparation of a draft report of survey results was completed in a four-week period. A total of 660 respondents, aged 18-45 years, selected by a modified 30-cluster sampling method, were interviewed in two SC project areas. Although knowledge about HIV/AIDS was high, a number of misconceptions about HIV transmission and unfavorable attitudes to people with AIDS were noted. Of five knowledge and attitude variables that could be compared with the baseline survey results, 4 showed favorable changes and 1 showed an unfavorable trend. Comparing responses from those who were educated by SC with those who had other sources of information about HIV/AIDS, higher levels of knowledge were seen in the SC-educated group and, in one area, somewhat greater willingness to care for family members with AIDS. However, there were no differences seen in other attitudes, beliefs, or in practices regarding condom use. The rapid KABP survey approach was successful in providing, with a relatively modest investment of resources, quantitative data useful for project evaluation, and for developing HIV/AIDS-intervention strategies.